Carlos Sainz has openly reflected on his competitive battle with Max Verstappen, revealing that their head-to-head was more intense than many might assume. This rivalry dates back to their shared debut in Formula 1 in 2015 at Toro Rosso, where both drivers began their journeys under the same team, setting the stage for a closely matched contest. The Carlos Sainz Max Verstappen battle remains one of the most notable duels in modern F1 due to Verstappen’s reputation as a formidable teammate opponent.
While Verstappen is widely recognized as a “team-mate killer,” having outperformed six teammates across his career, Sainz stands out as one of the few who did not fall decisively behind the Dutch World Champion. Their debut year saw a near-even contest in qualifying, with Sainz edging Verstappen 10 times to 9. However, Verstappen gained the upper hand on race days, finishing ahead in 10 races compared to Sainz’s 6 and accruing nearly three times more points that season—49 for Verstappen versus 18 for Sainz. Despite this, Sainz was unusually competitive, especially considering Verstappen’s dominance over his other teammates. Over their careers, Verstappen amassed 3,188.5 points against 1,795 for his teammates collectively, yet Sainz managed to remain among the closest challengers.
The Pressure and Intensity of Competing Against Verstappen
Sainz acknowledged the immense pressure of racing alongside Verstappen, calling him “an insane driver” and predicting he is on track to be one of the greatest F1 drivers in history. On the High Performance Podcast, Sainz commented on the overwhelming challenge Verstappen poses to his teammates, but noted that his own experience was somewhat less daunting.
“I think everyone is having a really tough time being Max’s teammate,”
Carlos Sainz said.
“I can only say that when I was Max’s teammate, I didn’t have this tough time. I was obviously incredibly surprised by how quick he was. I mean, he’s an insane driver.”
“He’s probably going to become one of the best ever in history, if he’s not already one.”
He described their 2015 rookie season as
“probably the most intense year of my life,”
with every lap feeling like a battle for supremacy. At the time, both drivers were teenagers, driven by a fierce mentality to outperform one another. Sainz recalled the mental and physical demands, highlighting a relentless focus on every practice session, often treating Free Practice 1 like a qualifying run to get an edge over Verstappen.
The intense rivalry extended across all sessions with both excelling in wet conditions, reflecting their backgrounds in junior categories. Sainz recounted a memorable moment in Suzuka during a wet FP1 session where he and Verstappen pushed the limits on intermediate tires, battling aquaplaning risks to prove who was faster despite unfamiliarity with the track.
“It was honestly exhausting. That level of pressure builds you. I wouldn’t change it, I would still do it all over again.”
—Carlos Sainz
This period pushed both drivers to take significant risks, with Sainz recalling leading a Toro Rosso session in the wet as one of his 2015 highlights, further cementing the deep personal growth forged through this rivalry.
Broader Insights on Sainz’s Career and Racing Environment
Beyond the historic battle with Verstappen, Carlos Sainz has shared insights about his evolving career in Formula 1, including his experiences at Ferrari and the demanding nature of workloads compared to other teams like Williams. He has also been linked in discussions regarding driver line-ups, including potential replacements involving Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, offering a glimpse into his broader presence within the sport.
The Carlos Sainz Max Verstappen battle encapsulates not only the on-track intensity but also the remarkable talent, drive, and resilience required to compete at the highest level of motorsport. Their early rivalry helped shape both drivers’ careers, with Verstappen going on to dominate races and championships, while Sainz has carved out a respected path as a consistent and skilled competitor.
As Verstappen continues to pursue further achievements, the foundation built during their initial contests remains a defining part of Sainz’s story, illustrating the fierce challenges behind great sporting rivalries and the growth that such competition fosters.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Carlos Sainz have 55?
A. Throughout his career, the number 55 has become closely associated with the Spanish racer. This number is a key part of his identity. Sainz chose 55 because of a clever personal link: Carlo5 5ainz.
