Helmut Marko claims Carlos Sainz ‘was almost on par’ with Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso

Carlos Sainz is an extremely talented driver at the pinnacle of motor racing.

Helmut Marko claims Carlos Sainz ‘was almost on par’ with Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso

Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)

Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen, have over the years, become well-established F1 drivers. Both their careers are on an upward trajectory and with the sport currently at a halt, the Red Bull team adviser, Helmut Marko, has talked about the time when they were teammates.

During Sainz and Verstappen’s early F1 years, they are teammates at the Toro Rosso F1 team (AlphaTauri). However, the latter used to have the upper hand on Sainz most of the time. In 2016, Verstappen won the race head-to-head 12-9 and the overall quali head-to-head also went in his favor with 19-2.

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Helmut Marko has recently talked about their time together and said, as reported by Marca:

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Sainz is, without a doubt, a great driver. He was almost on par with Max in the Toro Red [Toro Rosso].

Looking at the reaction of the 80-year-old veteran of the sport, it is quite clear that Carlos Sainz had the potential to get the jump on Verstappen. However, he just was not able to find the extra push to be at the Dutchman’s level.

Carlos Sainz is yet to win an F1 world championship

While Helmut Marko has shed light on how Carlos Sainz fell short against Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso, the latter is to win a world title. As things stand, the latter has so far amassed a brilliant three world titles.

Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO).

Verstappen has been racing for Red Bull for a long time and under the current set of regulations, he has proved too mighty. Sainz, on the other hand, has just not had the machinery underneath him to make a serious title challenge.

However, the upcoming campaign of the pinnacle of motor racing could prove to be the Spaniard’s year. Ferrari has all the know-how in its arsenal to produce a potent car and considering this, Sainz could be seen fighting for the world championship.

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