Ex-F1 engineer claims Max Verstappen “isn’t keen” to see Red Bull signing Carlos Sainz as Sergio Perez’s replacement

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz were teammates at Toro Rosso.

Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez (In Circle) and Carlos Sainz (Via IMAGO)

Ever since it was announced that Carlos Sainz would be replaced Lewis Hamilton in 2025 at Ferrari, the Spaniard has been in scintillating form. The driver has showcased brilliant wheel-to-wheel prowess in Bahrain to obtain a podium and then come back from appendicitis to win the Australian Grand Prix in dominant fashion. Making him one of the most valuable drivers in the 2025 driver market.

With his recent performances, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted that Carlos Sainz is an option for Sergio Perez‘s seat in 2025. Following the statement made by Horner, ex-Ferrari engineer Ernest Knoors suggested that reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen wouldn’t be keen on this signing because of the Spaniard’s ability.

He would think so. And that would actually increase the pressure on Max, I don't really think Max is keen to have Carlos Sainz as a team-mate. I think there is a large part of politics involved and Christian is of course very smart politically.

Ernest Knoors said via mirror.co.uk.

Knoors also believes that getting a driver of Carlos Sainz‘s caliber into the Red Bull seat amidst the rumors of Verstappen leaving will put Red Bull in stable condition, with a possible future World Champion. The Spaniard is definitely on the radar of multiple team principles, if he continues performing the same, it’s only a matter of time before a top team signs him.

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Red Bull has a demand for Yuki Tsunoda to secure the seat over someone like Carlos Sainz

Yuki Tsunoda has had a brilliant start to the 2024 Formula 1 season. The Japanese driver has out-qualified his experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo at every race of the season and also obtained a P7 finish in Melbourne.

Helmut Marko (L), Yuki Tsunoda (R) (images via IMAGO).

With the driver’s brilliant performances, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko was asked about the Tsunoda’s prospects of obtaining a Red Bull seat in the future. The Austrian spoke about how Tsunoda needs to perform consistently as he did in Australia to obtain the seat.

Every lap he was competitive and didn’t do anything wrong, he was calm, As we say, one swallow does not make a summer. So, he has to improve more before he can be considered in this direction.

Helmut Marko said.

It looks like if Yuki Tsunoda can consistently perform in the way he started his season, the Japanese driver will be a top contender for Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat in 2025. Only time will tell if he can execute it for a year, with the next race being at his home he’ll definitely be more motivated than ever.