Carlos Sainz, currently racing for Williams Racing in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, has recalled his early days in Formula 1 alongside Max Verstappen, describing his experience as more positive than what most of Verstappen’s teammates have faced. The Spanish driver, who made his F1 debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso (now known as Racing Bulls) in 2015, shared insights into that crucial period in a recent episode of the High Performance podcast.
Over the years, the second seat at Red Bull Racing has gained an almost mythical reputation—one that many in the paddock refer to as a “curse.” Almost every driver who has partnered Max Verstappen at the top-tier Red Bull team has struggled to keep pace with the four-time World Champion. The pressure of racing alongside such a dominant figure has often led to underwhelming performances and, in most cases, premature exits from the Anglo-Austrian team based in Milton Keynes.
The most recent example is Yuki Tsunoda. After Liam Lawson failed to deliver strong results in the opening rounds of the season, Red Bull promoted Yuki Tsunoda from Racing Bulls. However, the Japanese driver has also encountered significant difficulties, both in qualifying and race trim. As a result, his position in the team is reportedly under review. Tsunoda’s struggles echo a familiar pattern that has repeated itself over the years with Verstappen’s teammates.
Interestingly, the now-legendary Max Verstappen began his own Formula 1 career with Toro Rosso in 2015, at the age of just 17—a record at the time for the youngest driver to start an F1 race. That same year, Carlos Sainz also made his debut for Toro Rosso, forming an all-rookie lineup. Both drivers are sons of racing legends and entered the sport with high expectations. Their paths diverged later, but their early rivalry and cooperation shaped both of their careers.
Reflecting on that formative season, Carlos Sainz spoke candidly about the experience and offered rare praise for his former teammate: “I think everyone struggles when they are teammates with Max Verstappen,” said the Spanish driver. “But I can only speak from my own experience, and honestly, I didn’t feel that bad when I was his teammate. I was definitely surprised by how fast he was and how extraordinary he was as a driver. He probably will become one of the greatest in history—if he isn’t already—but that first year together gave me the confidence that I could go up against anyone.”
Carlos Sainz went on to emphasize how sharing a garage with Verstappen helped solidify his own sense of self-belief as a Formula 1 driver. Over the years, he has partnered with some of the most talented drivers on the grid, including Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, Lando Norris at McLaren, Nico Hülkenberg at Renault, and currently Alexander Albon at Williams. “I’ve been teammates with some very quick drivers, probably some of the best in the sport,” Sainz added. “Now I’m with Albon, who is also incredibly fast. This pushes me to keep competing with the best. It never made me think, ‘No, I don’t want this.’ I know I can do it, and I know I’ve succeeded before.”
Carlos Sainz’s reflections provide a rare glimpse into what it’s like to go head-to-head with one of the most dominant drivers in recent Formula 1 history—yet with a tone of respect and calm assurance, rather than intimidation. His words also reinforce his ongoing desire to remain competitive at the highest level, proving that even under the shadow of legends, he has carved out his own identity as a top-tier F1 driver.
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