Fernando Alonso’s former teammate Carlos Sainz has detailed how competing closely with Max Verstappen was unavoidable for anyone driving for Red Bull’s sister team. Sainz and Verstappen first raced together during their rookie season at Toro Rosso in 2015 and started the 2016 season as teammates. However, Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull after just four races, swapping places with Daniil Kvyat, who then joined Sainz at Toro Rosso.
Reflecting on this period during the High Performance Podcast, Sainz explained the intense atmosphere surrounding their rivalry in those early days. The pressure to outperform Verstappen was immense because Red Bull used Toro Rosso as a proving ground to identify which driver deserved to move up.
“It was a year to prove yourself,”
Sainz said.
Trying to beat Max, Max trying to beat me to see who’s better, and if you win, you maybe go to Red Bull.
He added that the stakes were clear: either shine and earn promotion, remain competitive and continue in Formula 1, or fall behind and risk losing the chance to race at the top level. The environment fostered constant competition, especially among rookies, making conflict between teammates almost inevitable.
How Toro Rosso Served as a Testing Ground for Red Bull’s Drivers
Sainz praised the role Toro Rosso played under the guidance of Red Bull management—in particular, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner—in cultivating talent through internal rivalries. While the team put young drivers under pressure, it has been successful in developing top talent and feeding them into Formula 1’s elite.
“I love Toro Rosso, but that team, up until recent years has always been a playground for Helmut Marko and Christian Horner to put the two drivers there to see who’s better and can jump to Red Bull.”
He further noted that the team’s approach has produced outstanding drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen. Toro Rosso continues to serve as an essential stepping stone for promising racers like Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, despite Lawson recovering from difficulties during his stint at Red Bull. Sainz emphasized that this competitive environment naturally leads to clashes with teammates, especially for rookies facing off against each other.
“No criticism, because that team works well,”
he said.
It delivers great drivers to Formula 1, it did with Sebastian [Vettel], it did with Max.
It has Isack [Hadjar] doing great, Liam [Lawson] recovering from his Red Bull episode, it still serves its purpose but the reality is that you’re always going to lock horns with your team-mate there, and especially at the time with two rookies, like with Max and me, we were always going to lock horns.
Beyond Toro Rosso: Sainz’s Career Progression and Verstappen’s Current Status
Although Sainz did not secure a spot at Red Bull, he has built a successful Formula 1 career, racing for several teams including Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, and currently Williams. Verstappen, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the sport’s greatest drivers, accumulating four world championships. However, speculation surrounds Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, with reports suggesting he may consider leaving the team.
The ongoing Max Verstappen Red Bull rivalry remains significant in F1, as it has influenced careers and team dynamics. The competition fostered during their formative years continues to impact the sport, shaping driver development and team strategies across the paddock.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a billionaire?
A. Based on different reports, Max Verstappen’s net worth is believed to be around $210 million.
Q. What is Max Verstappen’s baby gender?
A. Verstappen and Piquet have shared news of their baby daughter, Lily. They confirmed their pregnancy before the 2024 season’s last race in Abu Dhabi. Lily joins Piquet’s older daughter, Penelope, as a new sibling.
Q. Is Max Verstappen’s child a boy?
A. MIAMI — Max Verstappen shared that he and his partner, Kelly Piquet, have welcomed their first child. On Friday, the four-time world champion posted on Instagram about their baby girl, Lily.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. His partner is Kelly Piquet, and she is the daughter of former world champion Nelson Piquet. She has a daughter named Penelope from her past relationship with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has developed a strong bond with Penelope. He recently mentioned this when asked if being a dad could affect his racing performance.
