Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen will always be widely regarded as one of the strongest rookie driver pairings in the history of Formula 1.
At the beginning of the 2015 Formula 1 season, Red Bull decided to place two young drivers in their second Toro Rosso team.
On one side of the garage, they placed Spaniard Carlos Sainz after winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
Sainz had a name many racing fans recognised due to the rallying exploits of his father, and it was clear that he was a superb talent.
Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July
Friday 25th July 11:30 1st Practice Friday 25th July 14:30 1st Sprint Qualifying Friday 25th July 14:49 2nd Sprint Qualifying Friday 25th July 15:06 3rd Sprint Qualifying Saturday 26th July 10:00 Sprint Saturday 26th July 14:00 1st Qualifying Saturday 26th July 14:25 2nd Qualifying Saturday 26th July 14:48 3rd Qualifying Sunday 27th July 13:00 Race
Alongside him was Max Verstappen, preparing to break the record for the youngest driver ever to race in Formula 1.
It didn’t take Verstappen long to challenge the likes of Sebastian Vettel and other top drivers, with his age quickly becoming irrelevant as he was promoted into the senior Red Bull team just a few races into his second season.
Sainz also decided enough was enough that year and made his way to Renault, but he’s now explained why that rookie campaign alongside the four-time world drivers’ champion was such an ‘exhausting’ experience.
READ MORE: Williams star Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesCarlos Sainz recalls ‘really tough time’ being Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 teammate
The Spanish driver was a guest on the High Performance Podcast and spoke about his journey through the sport.
Sainz rejected claims he has a bad relationship with Verstappen, but speaking about their time together, he said: “I think everyone is having a really tough time being Max’s teammate.
“I can only say that when I was Max’s teammate, I didn’t have this tough time. I was obviously incredibly surprised by how quick he was. I mean, he’s an insane driver.
“He’s probably going to become one of the best ever in history, if he’s not already one.
“But, that first year together, since then, has given me the confidence to know I can go up against anyone.
“I’ve been teammates with Charles, Lando, with Nico Hulkenberg, very quick guys, and probably the best in the sport.
“Now Alex, incredibly fast also, and it just makes me want to be up against the best still.”
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Carlos Sainz recalls Max Verstappen practice battle at the Japanese Grand Prix
Podcast host Jake Humphrey went on to describe the environment at Toro Rosso as ‘toxic’, to which Sainz agreed and said, ‘Exactly’.
Later during their conversation, Sainz was asked again about his debut season alongside Verstappen and continued: “It was probably the most intense years of my life.
“I remember so many things from that year that were so intense. I think at the time, Max was 16, 17, we had the mentality to deal with that level of intensity, but I remember not the level of pressure, the level of detail we were looking at things.
“Every session, every FP1, we were going for it like crazy! Like, for me, FP1 was qualifying.
“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 been really good in the wet in previous categories.
“So, it was like, who is quicker in the wet in Formula 1. And FP1 in Suzuka, full wets, go out on intermediates tyres, aquaplaining like crazy, just to try and show in the first wet session of my life in Formula 1, without knowing the track, I was quicker than Max, and vice versa.
“I took the risks I shouldn’t have taken. I remember leading a session in a Toro Rosso in 2015 in the wet, and that being one of the highlights of my year.
“It was honestly exhausting. That level of pressure builds you. I wouldn’t change it, I would still do it all over again.”
RANKDRIVERTEAMTIME1Carlos SainzToro Rosso1:49.4342Daniil KvyatRed Bull+0.5043Nico RosbergMercedes+0.6434Sebastian VettelFerrari+1.0855Lewis HamiltonMercedes+1.2886Max VerstappenToro Rosso+1.5062015 Japanese Grand Prix FP1 resultCarlos Sainz avoids Red Bull reunion with Max Verstappen after Ferrari exit
At the end of the 2015 Formula 1 season, it was clear that Verstappen came out on top against Sainz.
Verstappen finished 12th in the drivers’ championship with 49 points, while Sainz was three places below him and 31 points worse off.
It meant that when Christian Horner needed to replace Daniil Kvyat, Verstappen was the natural choice.
TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN/AN/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN/AN/ARacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
There were suggestions that Verstappen’s camp didn’t want Red Bull to sign Sainz when it became clear that Sergio Perez was struggling.
They instead opted for Liam Lawson, and later Yuki Tsunoda, while Sainz ended up at Williams.
Sainz has suggested he’s glad Red Bull didn’t approach him, and while the pair have a better relationship now, it would be fascinating to see just how hard the Spaniard could push Verstappen after a decade of experience in the sport.