Breaking: F1 Star Admits he was handed a Harsh Final Warning by Red Bull After…read more
Carlos Sainz Admits Red Bull Delivered ‘Last Chance’ Ultimatum Before F1 Breakthrough
Formula 1 star Carlos Sainz has opened up about a defining moment early in his racing career, revealing that Red Bull once gave him a brutal “last chance” warning which spurred him to fight for his future in the sport.
The 30-year-old Spaniard, now a four-time Grand Prix winner, shared on the Cards on the Table podcast that Red Bull’s ultimatum during his time in the junior programme nearly derailed his dreams of making it to Formula 1.
“Red Bull told me, ‘OK, next year is your last chance – you go into F2, you either win or there’s no space for you in F1’,” Sainz recalled. “I was 18, 19. So you feel the pressure… I suddenly realised I actually might not make it.”
The high-stakes moment motivated Sainz to elevate his performance, eventually winning the Formula Renault 3.5 championship — a key achievement that paved the way to his F1 debut in 2015.
Sainz credits his father, rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., for helping him overcome that critical period:
“I was lucky to have my dad… He said, ‘This is what you’re missing to be a world champion,’ and I made the switch — I went up a gear in preparation, and I made it.”
Since then, Sainz has endured a nomadic F1 career, racing for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari, where he claimed four victories. However, his time at Ferrari ended abruptly at the close of the 2024 season, displaced by Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Maranello.
Sainz found refuge at Williams in 2025, joining a team showing signs of revival. While his own start has been inconsistent — collecting just 11 points from the first seven races — Williams sits a surprising fifth in the constructors’ standings, buoyed by strong performances from teammate Alex Albon.
Now looking to rebuild his momentum, Sainz sees a potential resurgence with Williams, especially with major regulation changes looming in 2026.
“There’s still a lot to fight for. I know what I’m capable of. This chapter could still lead me back to the front,” Sainz hinted.
From Red Bull’s “last chance saloon” to potential redemption with Williams, the Spaniard’s journey remains one of the most compelling in the F1 paddock.
