F1 Expert Reveals How Close Carlos Sainz Came to Red Bull’s Return
Formula One expert Mark Hughes has revealed that Carlos Sainz Jr. was on the verge of returning to Red Bull Racing before signing with Ferrari.
Red Bull’s Interest
Sainz had already driven for Red Bull’s junior team, Toro Rosso, from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he left for Renault and then McLaren. However, Red Bull never lost sight of his potential. “Red Bull were always keeping an eye on him,” Hughes said in a recent interview. “They really rated him and saw him as a potential future world champion.”
The Negotiations
In 2020, Sainz’s contract with McLaren was expiring. Red Bull made an offer to bring him back, but Ferrari was also interested. “It was a close-run thing,” Hughes explained. “Both teams offered him very similar deals in terms of salary and sponsorship. In the end, Sainz chose Ferrari because he felt it was a better fit for his career.”
Sainz’s Decision
Sainz had been impressed by Ferrari’s long-term vision and its commitment to developing young drivers. He also felt that the team had a strong technical package that could help him compete for race victories in the future. “Ferrari is a team that has always been in my heart,” Sainz said at the time. “It’s a dream come true to drive for such an iconic team.”
Red Bull’s Disappointment
Red Bull was disappointed to lose Sainz, but they understood his decision. They had no doubt that he would be a successful driver in Formula One. “Carlos is a great talent,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said. “We wish him all the best in his future with Ferrari.”
Sainz’s Success at Ferrari
Sainz has made a strong start to his career with Ferrari. He has finished on the podium four times and has scored points in all but one race. He is currently fourth in the drivers’ standings. Red Bull may have missed out on re-signing Sainz, but they have found a new protégé in Sergio Pérez. Pérez has won two races for the team this season and is currently third in the drivers’ standings. Both Red Bull and Ferrari will be hoping that their drivers can continue to deliver strong results in the future.
F1 Expert Reveals How Close Carlos Sainz Came to Red Bull’s Return
According to Sky Sports F1 expert Martin Brundle, Carlos Sainz was close to returning to Red Bull in 2023. Sainz spent two seasons with Red Bull in 2015 and 2016, before moving to Renault and then McLaren. He joined Ferrari in 2021 and has become one of their leading drivers. However, Brundle claims that Sainz considered a return to Red Bull after Sergio Perez struggled at times during the 2022 season. “I understand that Sainz was very close to being recruited back to Red Bull for 2023 as a potential replacement for Perez,” Brundle said. “It would have been a fascinating move, and I think Sainz would have been a great fit for the team. He’s a very quick driver, he’s experienced, and he knows how to win races.” Ultimately, Red Bull decided to stick with Perez for 2023, but it’s clear that Sainz was on their radar. It’s an intriguing thought to consider what might have happened if Sainz had returned to Red Bull. Would he have been able to challenge Max Verstappen for the title? Or would he have been playing second fiddle to the Dutchman? Only time will tell, but it’s certainly a move that would have had major implications for the 2023 F1 season.