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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirms that the F1 team is in discussions with Carlos Sainz after his contract with Ferrari ends this season, but adds that Sainz can actually earn more at Audi. The question is whether Marko does not mainly want to keep Checo Pérez in line with that revelation.
Carlos Sainz is having his best season in Formula 1 at Ferrari and still does not have a contract until 2025, when Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari. The arrival of the Brit ensures that the sought-after Spaniard is scouring the market.
Apparently there is also a connection with Red Bull, where Checo Pérez's contract ends after this season as the second driver next to Max Verstappen.
“Yes, we are in discussions with Carlos Sainz,” Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed Small newspaper. “He is having his best season in Formula 1, but he has a very strong offer from Audi and we cannot match or surpass that.”
Moreover, there is a history between Sainz and Red Bull. The Spaniard previously drove for the second team of energy drink producer Toro Rosso, but did not leave on ideal terms.
“We know him from his time at Toro Rosso,” said the Austrian. “When he drove next to Max, it hurt him that at Red Bull we chose Verstappen and not him.”
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz in 2016 as teammates at Toro Rosso.
Putting pressure on Checo Pérez?
The question is whether Helmut Marko did not leak the news about the talks with Sainz mainly to put pressure on Checo Pérez and keep him in line. Red Bull does not want to decide until the middle of this season whether it will continue with the Mexican.
The uncertainty about his future seems to be pushing Checo Pérez in the right direction. He performs better and keeps pace. Marko indicated to Motorsport.com that if Pérez continues like this, he is the best option for the seat next to Verstappen.
“It is clear that Checo is having his best season yet. If he continues his current performance – including qualifying in Japan – then he is certainly the best candidate for Red Bull in 2025,” said Marko. “He is a team player and has now realized that he no longer has to choose his own way with the adjustment. Last year he kept choosing settings that were wrong. Now he stays closer to Max and that helps him.”