Carlos Sainz feels he didn’t have such a “robust time” in opposition to Max Verstappen as his teammate in comparison with another Components 1 drivers who shared a storage with him.
As graduates of Pink Bull’s junior programme, each Sainz and Verstappen made their F1 debuts with Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls) in 2015, forming one of the vital thrilling rookie pairings in latest reminiscence.
Verstappen outscored Sainz 49-18 factors over the course of the season throughout which the latter was suffering from a number of reliability issues.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard did maintain the sting in qualifying, beating his then 17-year-old teammate 10-9 together with his spectacular one-lap tempo.
Verstappen was promoted to Pink Bull simply 4 races into the 2016 season, the place he went on to determine himself as a dominant drive in F1. Sainz, in the meantime, continued an upward trajectory of his personal and moved to Renault in late 2017.
In recent times, Verstappen’s teammates have struggled to get any near his degree at Pink Bull, particularly with the Milton Keynes squad creating automobiles more and more tailor-made to the Dutchman’s driving fashion.
However Sainz stated he takes confidence from the truth that he was in a position to present what he was able to in opposition to Verstappen, whom he ranks as among the many best in F1’s 75-year historical past.
“Everyone seems to be having a extremely robust time being Max’s teammate,” Sainz stated on the Excessive Efficiency Podcast.
“I can solely say that once I was Max’s teammate, I didn’t have this robust time. I used to be clearly extremely shocked by how fast he was, with how he’s an insane driver.
“He’s most likely going out to be among the best ever in historical past, if he’s not already one the most effective ever in historical past.
“However that first 12 months collectively since then has given me the boldness to know I may be up in opposition to anybody.
“I have been teammates with Charles [Leclerc], Lando [Norris], Nico Hulkenberg. I have been teammates with very fast guys, most likely the most effective within the sport.
“Now Alex [Albon], extremely quick additionally. Simply makes me need to be up in opposition to the most effective nonetheless.
“It hasn’t made me go like, ‘no, I do not need’. I do know I can take it and I do know I have been profitable previously.”
Rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr lately stated he would have appreciated to see his son reunite with Verstappen at Pink Bull, believing the 30-year-old “would have liked that problem.”
Sainz Jr was seen as a possible candidate for Pink Bull after Ferrari elected to poach Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, leaving him on the 2026 driver market.
The Spaniard finally selected to signal a long-term take care of Williams, whereas Pink Bull dropped Sergio Perez in favour of Liam Lawson, earlier than changing Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda for the third spherical of the season.
Sainz stated that he would have accepted a suggestion to drive in opposition to Verstappen at Pink Bull had such a chance arrived.
“I do not know when he [my father] stated that however we have already had it [being teammates],” Sainz stated.
“We’ve each moved on loads as drivers, most likely Max has advanced massively as a driver, however I even have.
“It is inconceivable to know, we’ll most likely know. That is most likely not gonna occur anymore. However I can solely let you know if that chance would have come, I most likely would have taken it.
“Would it not have been the correct factor for my profession or how would life end up from my life factors onwards? We are going to by no means know, so it is not value discussing.
“What I do know is that I additionally wanted a workforce that absolutely backed me. I do know what my skills are as a driver and I really feel like in that sense Williams has given me the correct surroundings to thrive in.”
