SUMMARY
- Ernest Knoors cautions against pairing Max Verstappen with Carlos Sainz due to potential complications in 2025.
- Despite Sergio Perez's P5 finish at the Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull faces internal turmoil.
Formula 1 analyst Ernest Knoors suggests Max Verstappen may not want Carlos Sainz as his teammate in 2025 due to potential complications. As the Australian Grand Prix concluded, Sainz clinched his first victory in the latest 2024 season. However, in the most bizarre turn of events, the reigning world champion had to withdraw from the race due to a breaking issue right after the emulsion of black smoke from his RB20.
An unfortunate series of events unfolded at the Albert Park Circuit. While Verstappen suffered from a DNF, his teammate Sergio Perez ended the race with a much more humble P5 spot. Recent developments in and around the paddock instigate internal turmoil in Red Bull. Team principal Christian Horner is in deep waters amidst an ongoing scandal amid speculations regarding Verstappen’s future in the team.
On the other hand, the Mexican driver faces the threat of getting his ongoing contract terminated without an extension. Although Perez has expressed his desire to continue with the Milton Keynes-based team, he faces competition from drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, and now, Carlos Sainz to replace him in the upcoming season.
Max Verstappen reluctant on Sainz partnership, says Ernest Knoor
Dutch pundit Knoor insists that signing the Spanish driver is a risky move. During his conversation with Motorsports.com, Knoor explained the situation within the Austrian outfit as a power struggle among the key figures. In particular, he pointed out the intense relationship between Horner and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
“Could he be Max Verstappens teammate”
“Because once upon a time they were teammates at toro rosso and Sainz was competitive with verstappen, which not many have been over the course of his career” pic.twitter.com/zXJ0QxyUhr
— Leema⁵⁵ (@Halyma221) March 25, 2024
He went on to add, “If Christian feels Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen and camp Helmut Marko are putting a bit of pressure on him, then you could say: ‘Well, someone like Carlos Sainz. If I bring that in, then I have someone with whom I can potentially become champion.’ That’s what he would think, and then it would actually increase the pressure on Max.”
“I don’t really think Max is eager to have Carlos Sainz as a team-mate” claimed Knoor. At the conclusion of the race at Melbourne, Sainz jokingly said that he was jobless. Given the irony, the 29-year-old might be in talks with potential teams for a switch next year.
Former driver opposes Perez’s contract extension for Carlos Sainz at Red Bull
When Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton announced his transfer to Ferrari in 2025, it was obvious that Prancing Horse would have to let Sainz go. However, his recent performance has been nothing less than spectacular. Specialists insist that if Sainz can maintain this streak of stellar performance, he can potentially bag a Red Bull seat.
Australia GP qualifying lap comparison between Verstappen and Sainz
Presented by: @f1lasvegas
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However, former F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck suggests it would be ideal for the team to discontinue Perez’s contract. Stuck announced, “First of all, I would like it because competition stimulates the business aspect. Then Max would definitely have to accelerate, which he can do. Secondly, I’m sure Max would sleep worse if he knew Sainz was going to be his new teammate.”
He also suggested, “Verstappen is number one at Red Bull, but at some point that is also over. Either he gets too old or a new teammate suddenly puts pressure on him. Such a situation can result in two things: Verstappen becomes even faster or he becomes weaker.” The German driver also lauded Sainz for his exceptional performance in Australia despite his latest appendicitis surgery.
