Carlos Sainz recently shared insights into his relationship with Max Verstappen, addressing rumors surrounding his potential move to Red Bull. Despite speculation that Verstappen had blocked Sainz’s arrival at the team, the Spanish driver revealed that they actually maintain a good rapport, suggesting that their partnership could have been one of the most formidable on the Formula 1 grid.
Sainz and Verstappen first crossed paths early in their careers when Sainz debuted with Toro Rosso in 2015, where they were teammates during Verstappen’s rookie season. Although Verstappen held an edge by the end of that year, their competition was viewed as a healthy rivalry, which helped them establish mutual respect and a friendly connection over time.
As Sainz approached free agency leading into the 2025 season, speculation arose about a possible Red Bull seat due to Sergio Perez’s inconsistent form. However, this move did not materialize, with many insiders suggesting that Verstappen’s influence within Red Bull may have played a role. Nevertheless, Sainz publicly denied such tensions on the High Performance podcast, emphasizing a positive dynamic between the two drivers.
“The only thing I could say is that I genuinely get on well with Max [Verstappen]. This is what people don’t see from the outside. We had a rivalry in our first year in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso, but it was a relatively healthy rivalry in terms of how we used to go about racing. And now we get on really well. If that’s the reason, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want me next to Max, because I think we would actually be a very strong pairing in Formula 1.”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
Failing to secure a long-term position at a top team ultimately prompted Sainz to sign with Williams for the 2025 season, where he was expected to lead the Grove-based squad.
Challenges Facing Carlos Sainz at Williams in 2025
Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams came with the expectation that he would become the prominent point scorer and team leader. However, the situation has been quite different so far, as teammate Alex Albon continues to outscore him and retain the leading role within the team. This stark contrast has added pressure and frustration for Sainz.
Luck has not often been on Sainz’s side this season, with several incidents hampering his ability to maximize points. One notable example occurred during the British Grand Prix when Sainz was positioned to achieve a strong finish in the top ten. Unfortunately, a collision with Charles Leclerc forced him out of contention, undermining his race prospects.
Reflecting on the unfavorable circumstances, Sainz expressed his disappointment in a post-race interview:
“We were in the ideal position to score a top-seven, top-eight result. And suddenly fighting with Charles, he lost control of the car and took me out. Now we need to wait another two weeks to go racing but it gets to a point where it’s just extremely frustrating and depressing.”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
After the opening half of the 2025 season, Sainz has accumulated 13 points, highlighting a challenging start to his campaign with Williams.
Implications and Outlook for Sainz’s Season and Career
The evolving dynamic between Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen sheds light on misunderstood relationships within the Formula 1 paddock, revealing that competitive rivals can also maintain strong personal connections. Sainz’s openness about his positive rapport with Verstappen challenges common narratives regarding driver politics and team decisions.
At Williams, Sainz faces the task of proving his leadership ability despite setbacks and teammate competition. His ability to overcome these hurdles could shape his future team prospects and influence his standing in the sport moving forward. As the second half of the 2025 season approaches, fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Sainz can convert his potential into stronger results for the Grove team.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Carlos Sainz a millionaire?
A. Celebrity Net Worth, a well-known media source, estimates Carlos Sainz’s net worth to be approximately $50 million by 2025.
Q. Is Carlos Sainz intelligent?
A. The Spaniard is both smart and intuitive, using his thought process to navigate the race and earn points.
Q. Is Carlos Sainz smart?
A. It’s not surprising that Sainz is called Chilli. He is both smart and instinctive, carefully planning his moves to earn points in races.