Carlos Sainz suggests a possible reunion with Verstappen at Red Bull.

      "I truly have a good relationship with Max."

      Carlos Sainz has re-emerged on Red Bull's radar, asserting that he and Max Verstappen would form a "very strong pairing" as the energy drink team contemplates its options for 2026. Sainz, who was let go by Ferrari for 2025 in favor of Lewis Hamilton, found himself at Williams after no competitive seat became available. However, as Yuki Tsunoda has not performed well since taking over for Liam Lawson at Red Bull just two races into 2025, speculation is rising that the Spaniard could make an unexpected return to the team he departed from nearly ten years ago.

      Prior to his dismissal, Christian Horner suggested that Red Bull was open to exploring drivers outside their current roster for future combinations. "Naturally, you’re always receptive to what lies beyond that," he stated. "If we deem it necessary, we would not hesitate to explore that avenue again."

      When asked about the recent speculation, Carlos Sainz replied: "The only thing I can say is that I truly have a good relationship with Max. We had a competitive rivalry during our first year in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso, but it was quite a healthy rivalry. Now, we get along very well," he said on the High Performance podcast. "So if that’s the reason (why Red Bull wouldn’t sign him), I find it puzzling. I genuinely believe we would make a very strong pairing in Formula 1."

      Sainz also reflected on the high-pressure atmosphere of his debut year in 2015 with Verstappen, calling it "the most intense year of my life." "We were both striving to outdo each other in every FP1, FP2, FP3," he remarked. "That kind of competitiveness, that pressure - it shapes you. And I wouldn’t change a thing."

      The 30-year-old acknowledged that he postponed his decision regarding Williams in hopes of receiving a more competitive offer. "One reason I made my decision so late was because I was still optimistic about getting a competitive car for 2025," he stated. "I wanted to win again to demonstrate that I still belong here."

      Sainz is clear that his primary goal remains the same. "Being world champion is my objective. That’s what drives me," he asserted. "Formula 1 is my passion. I can't stop thinking about it - my data, my setup, what I’ll discuss with my engineer tomorrow. I want it to happen as soon as possible."