Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has finally shed light on the decision-making process
behind Carlos Sainz’s departure from the team. Sainz, a talented driver with a promising future, left Red Bull’s
junior program in 2017 and later joined McLaren, where he has continued to impress.
In an exclusive interview, Horner elaborated on the factors that influenced the team’s decision to let Sainz go. One
of the primary reasons cited was the emergence of Max Verstappen as a superstar within the team. Verstappen’s
exceptional talent and potential made him the focal point of Red Bull’s ambitions, leading to a restructuring of their
driver lineup to better support his championship aspirations.
Horner emphasized the importance of nurturing Verstappen’s growth and providing him with the best possible
environment to succeed. As such, the team sought a complementary driver who could support Verstappen while
also delivering strong performances on track. This search ultimately led them to recruit Sergio Perez for the 2021
season, a move that has paid dividends with Perez’s podium finishes and crucial contributions to the team’s success.
While acknowledging Sainz’s abilities and contributions during his time with the team, Horner explained that the
decision to release him was made in the best interests of Red Bull’s long-term strategy. The team needed a driver
lineup that could maximize their chances of competing for championships, and the pairing of Verstappen and Perez
was deemed to offer the best balance of talent and experience.
Despite parting ways with Red Bull, Sainz has thrived at McLaren, establishing himself as a key driver for the team
and consistently delivering strong performances on track. Horner expressed his admiration for Sainz’s
achievements since leaving Red Bull and wished him continued success in his career.
In retrospect, the decision to release Sainz may have been a difficult one for Red Bull, but it ultimately served the
team’s interests by enabling them to build a competitive driver lineup capable of challenging for championships in
Formula 1.
