“Carlos Sainz-Max Verstappen, Not a Bad Combination”: Ex-Ferrari Team Boss Speculates Red Bull’s Future Team; Sergio Perez‘s Contract Renewal Comes in the Way

We have seen it in almost every sport across the globe multiple times. Whenever someone convincingly beats a team’s leader in a battle or outperforms and announces themselves to the world in a particular fixture, they instantly get on the opposing team’s radar. Ex-Ferrari boss, Peter Windsor, believes this is exactly what has or will happen with Carlos Sainz after his Australian GP heroics.

The team in question is Red Bull and Sainz outclassed their champion Max Verstappen. Even though we can credit the engine failure for playing its part in ending Verstappen’s race early, the Spaniard was flawless. Such a performance by a driver without a racing seat for 2025 will surely put him on a lot of radars, especially Red Bull’s, and that is exactly what Peter Windsor believes.

Speaking about the Spaniard and his future on the latest YouTube video, he said, “There’s no way now that the top teams can’t be thinking seriously about Carlos Sainz. At Red Bull now you’d have to be saying Carlos Sainz-Max Verstappen, not a bad combination.“

“I, personally, think Max would be okay with Carlos Sainz in the other car and maybe that’s what they will do now. Maybe as a result of what’s happened, this has opened a door at Red Bull for Carlos Sainz to replace Sergio Perez,” he added.

However, despite rumors of Sainz being on the Red Bull list of potential replacements for the second seat, which was in contention for the longest time, might just be secure and in Sergio Perez‘s grasp after all. How? Well, according to Helmut Marko, it’s all down to the Mexican.

Helmut Marko secures Sergio Perez’s position in Red Bull, delivering a blow to Carlos Sainz

The second Red Bull seat has always been troublesome with no driver being able to stick to it for extended periods. However, Perez has had a grasp on it since 2021. But because of his concerning output in the RB19 last season, the grip loosened, and rumors of replacement and potential suitors flooded in.

Despite that, stepping away from the stereotype, Red Bull gave the Mexican time to prove himself and earn the seat back. According to Helmut Marko, Perez is halfway there based on his performances in the opening two races.

He stated, “Sergio is in a very good position at the moment.” Taking his first two race performances into account, Marko added, “He delivered two very good races. He is second in the World Championship. The question of who should replace Perez now is not really an issue.”

This is perhaps the first opinion Marko has shared toward the Mexican in a positive light in a long time. Now, it remains to be seen if Perez will strengthen his grip on the seat or lose it to Sainz.

Read More: What Team Is Carlos Sainz Driving for in 2025?