Carlos Sainz has shared a revealing look at the demanding atmosphere within the Red Bull junior program, explaining how the extreme mental pressure young drivers face plays a vital role in molding future Formula 1 stars. Reflecting on his own experience as part of this system, Sainz explained how competing against teammates was a high-stakes battle that could determine the very trajectory of a driver’s career.

Sainz began his Formula 1 journey in 2015 with Toro Rosso, now known as Scuderia AlphaTauri, where he was placed alongside a teenage Max Verstappen. From the outset, the environment was fiercely competitive, with drivers pushed relentlessly to outperform one another under the watchful eyes of team principals Helmut Marko and Christian Horner.

The High-Stakes Duel with Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso

The Spaniard described how the atmosphere at Toro Rosso was a stark contrast to more traditional teams like Williams. Instead of camaraderie, it was a battlefield focused on personal performance and triumph.

It was the opposite [to Williams],

Sainz said on the High Performance podcast.

It was the year to prove yourself and only think about yourself. Try and beat Max, Max trying to beat me and see who is better.

He emphasized that the Red Bull junior program’s philosophy was clear: shine and secure a promotion to Red Bull’s main team, or risk being dropped from Formula 1 entirely.

If you win, you may go to Red Bull. If you manage to shine and not win, you stay in Toro Rosso and you stay in F1 and you make a career. If you get destroyed or you lose, you are out of Formula 1. It’s two opposites. The atmosphere we were put into at Toro Rosso was to lock horns with Max immediately. I love Toro Rosso, I love that team but that team up until recent years has always been a playground for Helmut Marko and Christian Horner to put the two drivers there, see who is better to jump to Red Bull. So those two drivers are gonna.

Benefits and Challenges of the Red Bull Driver Development Pathway

While the Red Bull junior program is notorious for its unforgiving nature, Carlos Sainz recognizes its effectiveness in producing elite drivers, despite the psychological toll it can exact on young talent.

No criticism because that team works well,

he stated.

It delivers great drivers to Formula 1. It did with Sebastian [Vettel], it did with Max.

The program continues to support rising stars like Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, reflecting its ongoing commitment to identifying and nurturing talent, even when setbacks occur.

But the reality is that you are always going to lock horns  with your teammates there. Especially at a time two rookies at the same time, like we were, Max and me. We were always going to lock horns.

Unrelenting Pressure in Practice Sessions: A Rookie’s Perspective

Sainz recounted the intense competitive drive he felt even during practice sessions, where every lap was an opportunity to outperform his teammate. During the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, he took significant risks in wet conditions to prove he was the quicker driver, despite practice sessions traditionally carrying less weight on race weekends.

It was probably the most intense years of my life,

he reflected.

Like I remember so many things of that year that were so intense.

He described how, at just 19 years old—with Verstappen only 16 or 17—they handled extraordinary mental challenges by focusing intensely on fine details and relentless competition.

Every session, every FP1, we were going for it like crazy! For me, FP1 was qualifying already. I wanted to beat him in every FP1, every FP2, every FP3. I remember we were both really quick in the wet. We both had the thing [of being] really good in the wet in previous categories. So, it was like, who is quicker in the wet in Formula 1.

He vividly recalled the first wet session of his Formula 1 career at Suzuka, where he risked aquaplaning on intermediates in a desperate attempt to outpace Verstappen.

And FP1 in Suzuka, full wets, go out on intermediates tyres, aquaplaning like crazy, just to try and show that in the first wet session of my life in Formula 1, without knowing the track, I was quicker than Max, and vice versa. So we were always trying to show each other.

That day, he led a session in a Toro Rosso for the first time, marking a personal high point for his rookie year despite the dangers involved. Reflecting on those days, Sainz now prefers a more measured approach to practice, focusing on consistent lap building rather than outright speed.

How the Crucible of Competition Shapes Champions

Ultimately, the immense pressure and rivalry within the Red Bull junior program taught Sainz invaluable lessons of resilience and focus in Formula 1’s high-pressure environment. Though the intensity was mentally exhausting, he values the growth it provided.

It was honestly exhausting. But it was nice exactly what builds you. That level of competitiveness, that level of pressure, it builds you. I wouldn’t change it. I would still do it all over again. I think it did me a lot of good things.

His experience highlights how Red Bull’s program, despite its harsh reputation, successfully grooms drivers to excel amid the extreme pressures that define Formula 1, preparing them for the sport’s highest echelons.