Carlos Sainz has recently talked about the move by Red Bull to reject signing him as teammate to Max Verstappen to the 2025 Formula 1 season. At a Chiringuito Inside podcast appearance, Sainz confirmed the candidly that indeed discussions were made with Red Bull but the two parties failed to find an agreement. He clarified that old news regarding bad relationship between him and Verstappen had no influence to the decision reached by the team.

Sainz also highlighted his good track record of professionalism and cordial relationship to his former teammates such as Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. He rubbished the notion that any unresolved matters between him and Verstappen during the stint in 2015 at Toro Rosso, made a difference to the Red Bull move. That being what came into the case, he would have faced it squarely, he added.

Sainz watered down such a story despite the fact that Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko had earlier cast aspersions of the two rookies having a toxic environment during their first season. He said, it is normal that there is competition between the rookies and that he and Verstappen have become much bigger since then. He has also denied claims that Verstappen himself could have vetoed the move terming it as unfounded.

The speculation had been fueled by former F1 Juan Pablo Montoya, who said Verstappen would have cancelled the signing. Sainz heavily denied them claiming that Verstappen did not play any part in the choice of Red Bull and that neither party held grudges.

Red Bull team chief Christian Horner had already commented that by the time they extended an agreement to Sergio Perez, he was doing a fantastic job-ranking second in the championship and having scored a lot of podiums early on in the year. Back then, Red bull considered having Perez extend on his deal as the safer alternative. Since then, Horner has acknowledged that Sainz was a good target and the team may not have calculated the worth he would add.

Although no clear answers are known as to why the negotiations with Red Bull failed, certain sections of the media will have led to the notion that contractual aspect or its nature in the team were some sticking points. It is speculated that Sainz sought guarantees that Red Bull was not in a position to provide especially those that would allow him to line-up on the same level as Verstappen.

Having been relieved of his Ferrari position to make way to newcomer Lewis Hamilton, Sainz considered a number of prospects and eventually joined Williams, rejecting Audi and Alpine. He does share the long-term vision Williams has and he is keen on making them climb up the ladder with team boss James Vowles.

Finally, Sainz is a professional and he is respectful of both Red Bull and Verstappen. He is insistent that the move was not a personal one, but a business one, and things do not always add up.

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