Christian Horner hints that Carlos Sainz could be in line to finally make his move up to Red Bull's 'big team'.

Part of the Red Bull Junior Programme it was in 2013 that Sainz got his first taste of F1, driving both the Toro Rosso and Red Bull at the Young Driver Test at Silverstone.

Linked with Caterham for 2014, the Spaniard drove the Red Bull in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

In 2015 he partnered Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso and while the Dutchman was subsequently promoted to the 'big team', Sainz left midway through 2017 to join Renault after the French team released Jolyon Palmer early.

Two seasons at Renault were followed by another two at McLaren, where he partnered Lando Norris. Then in 2021 he was recruited by Ferrari.

The news that Lewis Hamilton is joining the Maranello outfit next season means that Sainz is a free agent, and though linked with Audi, which enters the sport in 2026, with all the nonsense going on at Red Bull it is understandable that the Spaniard should be linked with the Austrian team, be it to replace Sergio Perez or even Max Verstappen.

That said, there remains the vacancy at Mercedes, while countryman Fernando Alonso continues to tease about his future at Aston Martin.

Speaking after the Australian Grand Prix, Christian Horner admitted that a return to the Red Bull family could be on the cards should the need for a replacement arise.

"Yuki's a very quick driver, we know that," he told reporters, "but I think we want to feel the best pairing that we can in Red Bull Racing and sometimes you've got to look outside the pool as well.

"You've had a very fast unemployed driver win today," he said of Sainz. "The market is reasonably fluid with certain drivers...

"After all, Carlos is the only driver that's beaten Red Bull, so he appears to be our nemesis," he added, not only referring to the Melbourne victory, but the fact that the Spaniard was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race last season.

"Look, based on a performance like that you couldn't rule any possibility out," said the Briton. "I think you just want to take the time and obviously Checo was compromised today. He's had a great start in the season too so we're not in any desperate rush."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by RP, 29/03/2024 21:13

"So, another article about a driver, Sainz in this case, possibly going to Red Bull. It follows articles by the various "experts" with Aston pursue Newey, Schumacher tipped for Mercedes, Alonso tipped for Mercedes, Alonso good for Red BUll, etc. Well, you get the point. It seems we have a "publish or perish" type of situation as you might find in academia. Pitpass is the only online publication I have seen which provides some real articles. But, how about details - announcers saying things like "he's really flying" of "he is flying down the straight" when they're talking about a car 10 mph slower than the others. Why not print what we adtually know. Perhaps a little info about speeds and comparisons showing design features that contribute. The time between races is tedious. A question mark in the title is a signal that what comes next is fill."

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2. Posted by Stitch431, 27/03/2024 14:47

"If Aramco takes over Aston Martin, I believe that to be a better move. There was a good reason as to why Marko decided to break up Sainz and Verstappen in 2016. It would disturb the balance within the team if they would bring Carlos in that seat. Not so much between Max and Carlos but more between the two hot head fathers Jos and Sainz senior ..."

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3. Posted by ffracer, 26/03/2024 8:14

"Totally agree. Carlos, remember the frustration at Toro Rosso. Look at the incredible pressure every driver other than Max is experiencing right now. Perez, Riccardo- parading them around like desperate, wounded, useless gladiators...You made it out alive and went on to regroup/hone your skills and achieve some great results Renault, McLaren and Ferrari. Say thanks but no thanks to Horner/Darth Marko/ RB. Seriously, don’t walk, run."

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4. Posted by trackrecords, 26/03/2024 0:57

"Remember, Ferrari at Austria 2002 when Barrichello was told to move over to give Schumacher the win?
Which self-respecting driver in going to willingly play second fiddle to a petulant Max?
A Max who would risk anything to grab the lead, if his teammate had the temerity to take the lead and not hand it over a.s.a.p?
Carlos deserves better that that. Dan Ricci is under-performing at Mastercard, so why not there for Audi's arrival. But perhaps not Williams..."

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5. Posted by Laz, 25/03/2024 22:04

"I want Sainz to beat Leclerc all season, not because I dislike Leclerc but I think Ferrari have made a big mistake. All the signs are that Hamilton is in his twilight years and I don't believe he will be a major winning force again.
My current perception is that F1 and the F1 media appear to have lost the plot, there are so many toxic and negative stories doing the rounds every day now , they are pushing so many personal agendas and attacking individuals, some of the headlines just don't make sense. On the surface it appears that unless you are in a Mercedes or named Lewis Hamilton you have no right to win races or championships. Who in their right mind would genuinely expect the current winningest driver to leave the most successful current team for a team going nowhere and not delivering at all !!?? The 2026 engine changes could throw a spanner in everybodys' works, bring on 2027 ."

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6. Posted by ffracer, 25/03/2024 17:07

"Agreed. Great pass and excellent race, Carlos! I am so happy for him, great driver and great team player. I really enjoyed seeing Lando genuinely happy for him too. LN4, you will win soon!

Having said that, it will be sad to see him leave Ferrari when it seems to be working for him, and he's gelling with the team... but I verily believe that it didn't help Carlos when, after his Dad won the Paris-Dakar in an Audi earlier this year, said that it would be great to see his son in the new Audi."

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7. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 25/03/2024 16:30

"Great to see Sainz performing, that pass on the outside of MV was savage. I enjoyed watching that. A great way to put yourself in the shop window for 2025. "

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8. Posted by Chester, 25/03/2024 15:05

"Sainz is quickly becoming one of my favorites. He finds out he won't be with Ferrari in 2025, gets his appendix removed, and then passes Verstappen on the track in Melbourne and wins.

Sounds like he is very resilient. I always preferred LeClerc but no longer. "

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9. Posted by rambler, 25/03/2024 14:53

"@yakker, the Red Bull team is built around Max, any other driver is the number two. Max will get priority over everything. "

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10. Posted by yakker, 25/03/2024 14:00

"rambler, If you thought you couldn't beat Max in a Redbull, then you acknowledge you are not a potential world champion. As for not being allowed to beat Max, that is nonsense unless you signed to be number 2."

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11. Posted by kenji, 25/03/2024 12:01

"I do think that Ferrari have made a mistake with Sainz. They should never have let him go. "

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12. Posted by rambler, 25/03/2024 11:57

"The aim of every F1 driver is to win races and become the world champion. Why would any driver move to Verstappen Red Bull Racing? You will never be allowed to beat Max so the best you can hope for is to be second in the championship, something which has probably dawned on Perez."

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13. Posted by yakker, 25/03/2024 11:39

"Perez had the opportunity to win in Australia as Max DNF. But he failed to even make the podium, bringing in Carlos would be a good move."

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Sainz under consideration at Red Bull?

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