Science: Max and I could make a strong team.

Science: Max and I could make a strong team.

      Last year, Carlos Sainz was considered for the teammate role to Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, but the championship-winning team at the time decided to extend their contract with Sergio Perez, whose services they later abandoned.

      According to one version, Red Bull Racing did not invite Sainz because they feared tense relations between him and Verstappen, but in the latest episode of The High Performance podcast, Carlos stated that he would have had excellent relations with his teammate.

      Carlos Sainz: "People really try to explain the decisions made with this fact, but all I can say is that I got along well with Max. However, those observing from the outside don't see that.

      We had a rivalry in our first year in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso, but it was a fairly healthy rivalry, one we're all used to in racing. Now we have a good relationship.

      If that was truly the reason, I don't understand why Red Bull didn't want to see me next to Max. We would have been a very strong pairing in Formula 1.

      As far as I know, all of Max's teammates have had a hard time, but when I was his teammate, I didn't find it difficult. Max is probably going to become the greatest driver in history, if he hasn't already. But after my first year racing with him, I felt confident that I could compete with any driver.

      My teammates have been Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Nico Hülkenberg. They are very fast guys, probably some of the best in the sport. Now I race alongside Alex Albon, who is also very fast. I know I can compete with the best because I have been quite successful at it in the past."

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Science: Max and I could make a strong team.

According to one version, Red Bull Racing did not invite Carlos Sainz because they were concerned about tense relations between him and Max Verstappen, but in a recent podcast episode, Carlos stated that he would have had a great relationship with his teammate.