Sainz Sr. stated that his son would have favored a seat with Red Bull.

      Carlos Sainz senior believes his son would have eagerly embraced the opportunity to partner with Max Verstappen again. This comes despite Gerhard Berger, a figure who was close to the legendary Ayrton Senna, asserting that Verstappen surpasses even the iconic Brazilian.

      "For a long time, I regarded Ayrton as the best driver ever," the Austrian stated to Auto Bild. "Now, I think Max Verstappen is even superior." He added, "Max possesses abilities I’ve never witnessed before."

      At 30 years old, Sainz was not only rejected by Red Bull but also by Mercedes when he lost his seat at Ferrari last year, ultimately opting for a midfield position at Williams for 2025. Although the Spaniard has shown signs of irritation this season, his father, Sainz senior, told Kronen Zeitung: "He feels content at Williams now. There's a team behind him that believes in and values him."

      However, the 63-year-old rally legend and prospective FIA presidential candidate also remarked: "Naturally, Ferrari is among the elite teams in Formula 1. We were disappointed, of course. It came as a surprise. But that’s how life is. Sometimes luck smiles upon you with a contract, and other times you must move on."

      Red Bull initially introduced Sainz to Formula 1 a decade ago with the Toro Rosso junior team, where he was paired with fellow newcomer Verstappen. It is thought that Red Bull hesitated at the prospect of reuniting the two this year, opting instead for a teammate dynamic that clearly places Verstappen as the primary driver.

      Nonetheless, Sainz senior expressed: "I would have liked to see him alongside Max in the Red Bull. I’m certain he would have welcomed that challenge. Unfortunately, it didn’t materialize. You could ask Carlos yourself. He might decline, but I think he would also enjoy driving for Red Bull."

      Sainz Jr. has publicly critiqued Williams' operations and race strategies following their last two races in Miami and Imola. However, he takes pleasure in the fact that Williams and Ferrari are often competing closely. "I knew I was joining a team that had the potential to one day reach Ferrari’s level," he told RTBF in Monaco. "Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come. But it’s certainly happening sooner than anticipated. I also recognize that I can influence improvements to the car," Sainz added. "This boosts my confidence as I see I have the potential to steer the team in the right direction."