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Christian Horner and Red Bull keeps the door open for Carlos Sainz amid junior program focus

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Carlos Sainz Urges Ferrari to Solve Tyre Struggles After Challenging Singapore GP

Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull Racing hasn’t ruled out a future move for Carlos Sainz, despite opting not to sign the Spaniard for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

When Ferrari announced nearly a year ago that Carlos Sainz wouldn’t be retained, following their blockbuster acquisition of Lewis Hamilton, many believed Red Bull might snap him up. Talks were held, and rumors swirled, but Red Bull ultimately chose to promote Liam Lawson from their junior program, pairing him with Max Verstappen for the upcoming season.

Still, Horner acknowledged that Sainz was a serious consideration and remains on Red Bull’s radar as a potential option down the line.

The Sainz question

“Carlos is a great driver, and options still remain open with him in the future,” Horner told RacingNews365.

While Sainz brings proven racecraft and experience, Horner emphasized that Red Bull’s decision to promote Lawson reflects their commitment to nurturing young talent through their junior program.

“In many respects, you’d say there was a real logic [to signing] Carlos,” Horner said. “But we made the choice to look internally and put belief in the junior program. That attracts more juniors because they see a pathway to Formula 1.”

Horner added that Red Bull’s approach ensures their program stands out in the highly competitive environment of developing young drivers. “If you deliver, it pretty much guarantees you’ll get to Formula 1,” he said.

Sainz: A driver who doesn’t “fit” Red Bull right now

Sainz, who debuted alongside Verstappen at Toro Rosso in 2015, addressed his omission from Red Bull’s lineup on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast. The Spaniard attributed the decision to his ambition, which he believes doesn’t align with Red Bull’s current needs.

“Red Bull had me available for six months, and they didn’t pick me,” Sainz said. “I think it’s because I simply don’t fit into the type of driver that they need right now—and I’m completely fine with that. If anything, they’re doing me a favor.”

Sainz also dismissed the idea that he should have waited longer to see how Sergio Perez’s situation at Red Bull unfolded, explaining that delaying could have left him without a seat altogether.

“The F1 market doesn’t work like that,” Sainz said. “If I had waited, I might have been without a contract for 2025. I don’t see it as a lost opportunity.”

Red Bull’s expectations for Lawson

With Lawson now taking over Perez’s seat, the focus is on how the junior driver will complement Verstappen, rather than challenge him. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has already warned Lawson not to attempt to dethrone Verstappen, with Horner describing the Kiwi’s role as providing “strength in depth.”

Lawson impressed during his time at Racing Bulls in 2024, but stepping up to Red Bull’s main team brings intense scrutiny. Should he fail to meet expectations, it’s clear that Red Bull has Sainz in mind as a possible alternative.

Sainz’s fresh start at Williams

Sainz, meanwhile, has settled into a multi-year contract with Williams, where he’s expected to lead the team’s resurgence. While the move surprised some, Sainz believes it was the right decision for his career.

“For me, it’s about winning races and titles, and Williams provides me with that platform to build,” Sainz said.

The bigger picture

As Red Bull looks to the future, balancing its reliance on Verstappen with a pipeline of emerging talent, Sainz remains a tempting prospect. His experience and hunger for success make him a strong candidate should Lawson falter or if Red Bull finds itself needing a proven race-winner.

For now, though, Sainz and Red Bull are focused on their respective paths—with the door still ajar for a reunion in the years to come.

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