{"id":15981,"date":"2025-07-22T17:31:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/15981\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T17:31:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:31:09","slug":"f1-star-criticises-christian-horner-decision-after-red-bull-snub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/15981\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 star criticises Christian Horner decision after Red Bull snub"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"F1
\n\t\tCarlos Sainz joined Williams after being released by Ferrari but was linked with a return to Red Bull (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Carlos Sainz<\/a> says he \u2018doesn\u2019t understand\u2019 why Red Bull and Christian Horner didn\u2019t sign him to partner Max Verstappen<\/a> for the 2025 Formula 1 season.<\/p>\n

Last year, after it was announced that Sir Lewis Hamilton<\/a> would be taking his seat at Ferrari, Sainz was looking to join a new team and had become a very desirable target.<\/p>\n

The four-time race winner was heavily-linked with a sensational return to Red Bull<\/a> having come through their academy and made his debut at junior team Toro Rosso, alongside Verstappen, in 2015.<\/p>\n

While the move was backed by many pundits and fans, then-team principal Horner decided to extend the contract of Sergio Perez<\/a>, leading Sainz to sign for Williams.<\/p>\n

It was thought that tension between the Verstappen and Sainz camps had been a factor in the decision, but the Spaniard claims that is not the case, telling the High Performance<\/a> podcast: \u2018The only thing I can say is I genuinely get on well with Max.<\/p>\n

\u2018This is what people don\u2019t see from the outside. We had a rivalry in our first year in Formula 1 in Toro Rosso, but it was a relatively healthy rivalry in terms of him and me, the way we used to go about racing. And now we get on really well.<\/p>\n

\u2018So, if that\u2019s the reason, I don\u2019t understand why they wouldn\u2019t want me next to Max, because I think we would actually be a very strong pairing in Formula 1.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"F1
\n\t\tMax Verstappen and Sainz were teammates for just over a year at the start of their F1 careers (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018If the opportunity had come, I probably would have taken it.\u2019<\/p>\n

The decision backfired on Horner as Perez\u2019s performances slumped, costing Red Bull the constructors\u2019 championship, with the Mexican subsequently sacked and replaced by Liam Lawson.<\/p>\n

Lawson in turn was axed after just two races this year and his replacement Yuki Tsunoda has also struggled<\/a>, with Red Bull, so dominant just a few years ago, looking likely to finish fourth in the standings this year.<\/p>\n

The results on the track, as well as issues off it, cost Horner his job<\/a>, with Red Bull \u2018relieving him of operational duties\u2019 shortly after the British Grand Prix a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"F1
\n\t\tRed Bull axed Christian Horner after 20 years in charge of the F1 team (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Finding a teammate who can get close to four-time champion Verstappen\u2019s performances has been a major issue for the F1 giants since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018.<\/p>\n

Sainz was beaten by the Dutchman in their only season together, when they were both rookies, but the 30-year-old has always been highly-rated<\/a>, impressing during his time at Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think everyone\u2019s having a really tough time being Max\u2019s team-mate. I can only say that when I was Max\u2019s team-mate, I didn\u2019t have this tough time,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"AUTO:
\n\t\tSainz is 15th in the standings with Williams (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018I was obviously incredibly surprised with how quick he was, with how he\u2019s an insane driver. I mean, he\u2019s going to go out to be one of the best ever in history, if he\u2019s not already one.<\/p>\n

\u2018But that first year together, since then, has given me the confidence to know I can be up against anyone. I\u2019ve been team-mates with Charles Leclerc<\/a>, with Lando Norris<\/a>, with\u00a0Nico Hulkenberg, very quick guys, and probably the best in the sport.<\/p>\n

\u2018Now Alex Albon<\/a> is incredibly fast also, and it just makes me want to be up against the best still. I know I can take it, and I know I\u2019ve been successful in the past.\u2019<\/p>\n

Sainz is admittedly having a tough time this season as he adapts to Williams, with just 13 points from 12 races, compared to teammate Albon who has 46.<\/p>\n

He\u2019ll have a chance to climb up the standings this weekend when F1 heads to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n

\t\t\tComments
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\nMORE: Ferrari\u2019s stance on hiring Christian Horner after Red Bull sacking<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: How much did Christian Horner make as Red Bull chief before dismissal?<\/a><\/p>\n

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