Just in: Christian Horner Remains Open To Collaborating With Carlos…. read more 

Christian Horner Remains Open To Collaborating With Carlos…. read more 

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has expressed his willingness to collaborate with Carlos Sainz in the future, despite recent shifts in driver lineups. This statement comes in light of Sergio Perez’s strong start to the 2024 Formula One season, which initially deterred Red Bull from pursuing Sainz. The Spanish driver found himself seeking new opportunities after being on the brink of being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari.

As of now, Red Bull does not have any vacancies for the 2025 season, with Max Verstappen firmly under contract until 2028 and Perez having recently extended his deal in June. However, Perez’s performance took a downturn following a promising beginning, with his results declining to no better than fourth place in subsequent races. This disappointing form has led Red Bull to make the decision to replace him with Liam Lawson for the upcoming season.

In explaining the rationale behind their choices, Horner noted that the team’s focus on internal talent aligns with their long-term strategy. He acknowledged Sainz’s capabilities, stating, “Carlos is a great driver, and options still remain open with him in the future.” Red Bull is committed to fostering young drivers through its junior program, which they believe offers a clear pathway to Formula One.

Perez’s struggles became apparent as he finished the season in eighth place in the constructors’ championship, marking his lowest standing since 2019 when he was with Racing Point. His decline in performance was a significant factor in Red Bull losing the drivers’ championship to McLaren. Despite achieving nine race wins and four Sprint victories, the team faced a notable points disparity between their drivers, which ultimately affected their position in the constructors’ standings, which McLaren secured thanks to the performances of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

In the midst of these developments, Carlos Sainz secured a two-year contract with Williams after attracting interest from other teams, including Sauber and Alpine. Horner acknowledged that while there were logical reasons to consider bringing Sainz into the fold, Red Bull opted to concentrate on their internal development. He emphasized the decision to invest in their junior program, stating, “We made the choice to look internally and put belief in the junior programme.”

Looking back on the season, Horner reflected on whether Red Bull should have been able to secure the championship title and if this influenced Perez’s exit from the team. He noted the tendency to engage in hindsight analysis, saying, “I think there’s should’ve, could’ve, would’ve when you look back.” While he commended McLaren for their competitive efforts, he also highlighted Red Bull’s own successes despite the challenges they faced throughout the season.

The ongoing dynamics within Red Bull and the broader Formula One landscape continue to evolve,