Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen are two of Formula 1’s most talented and well-known drivers, both of whom have emerged from the famous Red Bull Young Driver Program. However, before they became established stars in the sport, they shared a turbulent relationship during their time at Toro Rosso in 2015. This season marked their first foray into the world of Formula 1, but it would not be an easy start. Sainz and Verstappen were both eager to impress Red Bull, and their rivalry, fueled by competition and outside influences, would eventually shape their careers in ways that neither of them could have foreseen.
In recent years, Carlos Sainz has reflected on his time with Verstappen at Toro Rosso and discussed the role that the team played in escalating their rivalry. According to Sainz, Toro Rosso intentionally heightened the tensions between the two young drivers in an effort to choose which one would secure a seat at the senior Red Bull team. Sainz also mentioned the influence of their fathers—Carlos Sainz Sr. and Jos Verstappen—which added further pressure to their already strained relationship. The rivalry between Sainz and Verstappen would continue to be a talking point for years, especially as both drivers advanced in their careers and established themselves as key figures in Formula 1.
The Birth of the Rivalry: Sainz Verstappen at Toro Rosso
When Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen joined Toro Rosso in 2015, they were both young and hungry for success. At the time, they were both considered promising drivers by Red Bull, but neither had the experience or maturity to handle the intensity of Formula 1. Despite being teammates, the competition between them was fierce, and the desire to secure a seat at Red Bull, one of the most successful teams in F1 history, only added fuel to the fire.
Toro Rosso, the sister team to Red Bull, played a significant role in intensifying the rivalry between the two drivers. Sainz believes that the team deliberately escalated the competition between him and Verstappen in an attempt to create a clear winner—someone who would catch the attention of the senior team. With both drivers in their early twenties and eager to prove themselves, this environment was ripe for conflict. Sainz recalls how the team management did little to ease the tension, ultimately fostering an environment where their rivalry was seen as a means to an end: deciding which of them would move up to Red Bull.
“We were only 17 and 20 at the time and very immature,” Sainz reflected in an interview with Corriere della Sera. The pressure of competing for a coveted spot in the Red Bull lineup weighed heavily on both drivers, and it seemed that Toro Rosso, knowingly or not, played a role in shaping that pressure into a rivalry that would continue to evolve over the years.
Verstappen’s Quick Ascension: The Decision That Defined Their Careers
The battle between Sainz and Verstappen at Toro Rosso was, in many ways, a preview of what would happen later in their careers. Verstappen’s natural talent and fierce determination quickly caught the attention of the Red Bull team, and after just four races in 2016, he was promoted to the senior team. Verstappen’s victory in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix—his first race with Red Bull—cemented his place as a future star of Formula 1.
For Sainz, the decision to promote Verstappen and not him was undoubtedly disappointing. Although Sainz had performed well during their time together at Toro Rosso, Red Bull opted to place its trust in the young Dutch driver, giving him the chance to fight for wins and championships at the highest level. Sainz, meanwhile, found himself out of Red Bull’s direct line of sight and had to chart his own path forward in the sport. He joined Renault on loan at the end of 2017 before ultimately severing his ties with Red Bull completely by joining McLaren in 2018.
Sainz’s journey after Toro Rosso has been one of steady progression. His move to McLaren allowed him to showcase his talent and further solidify his place in Formula 1. Meanwhile, Verstappen went on to become one of the sport’s most dominant drivers, securing multiple World Championships with Red Bull. The two drivers, however, remained linked by their shared history at Toro Rosso and the rivalry that was born there.
The Impact of the Sainz Verstappen Rivalry on Their Careers
Looking back on his time with Verstappen at Toro Rosso, Sainz acknowledges that the rivalry had a significant impact on both of their careers. While the competitive tension between them was undeniable, it also pushed both drivers to be better. Sainz believes that the pressure to outperform Verstappen at Toro Rosso, and the subsequent move away from the Red Bull fold, helped shape him into the driver he is today.
For Verstappen, the rivalry and his quick promotion to Red Bull undoubtedly played a role in developing his competitive edge. With the eyes of the team on him from a young age, Verstappen was forced to adapt quickly, which he did in spectacular fashion. His rise through the ranks of Red Bull has been nothing short of meteoric, and he is now widely regarded as one of the best drivers on the grid.
However, Sainz believes that the rivalry between them was more than just about racing; it was about external pressures, including the influence of their fathers. Both Carlos Sainz Sr. and Jos Verstappen were highly involved in their sons’ careers, and their influence sometimes added to the already tense dynamic between the two young drivers. Sainz noted that the external factors played a significant role in how the rivalry developed and how it was fueled by the ambitions of both families.
Sainz Verstappen Rivalry at McLaren and Ferrari
After leaving Toro Rosso, Carlos Sainz found a new chapter in his career with McLaren, where his relationship with teammate Lando Norris was notably different from his experience with Verstappen. Although there was still rivalry between Sainz and Norris, the tension was far less intense. According to Sainz, the McLaren team environment was much more collaborative, and the relationship between the two teammates was much more positive.
“The rivalry was much less intense between Lando and me,” Sainz said, referencing his time at McLaren. “We had a strong partnership, and we both pushed each other to improve. There was a healthy level of competition, but it wasn’t like the situation with Max.”
At Ferrari, Sainz found himself in yet another competitive environment, this time battling alongside one of the sport’s brightest stars—Charles Leclerc. The competition between Sainz and Leclerc was far more intense than his previous rivalry with Norris, and Sainz noted that when racing for victories, everything became much more difficult.
“With Charles, we were not fighting for eighth place but for victories,” Sainz explained. “Against someone as competitive as him, everything becomes bigger and more difficult.”
Despite the intensity of the rivalry with Leclerc, Sainz has been proud of his performance during his time at Ferrari, where he has often been close to Leclerc on the track. Their competitive spirit has driven both drivers to achieve impressive results, and Sainz is hopeful that their time together will be remembered for the close battles they had on the racetrack.
A Rivalry That Shaped Their Careers
The Sainz Verstappen rivalry at Toro Rosso remains one of the most talked-about dynamics in Formula 1 history. Although it was fueled by external pressures and heightened by the desire to impress Red Bull, it ultimately played a crucial role in shaping the careers of both drivers. While Verstappen’s quick promotion to Red Bull and subsequent rise to prominence has made him one of the best drivers in the world, Sainz has forged his own successful path through McLaren, Ferrari, and beyond.
Looking back, Sainz reflects on the rivalry with Verstappen as part of their shared journey in Formula 1. It was a rivalry born from competition, external pressures, and the desire to succeed. But it was also a rivalry that pushed both drivers to greater heights, helping to define their careers and set the stage for future success. As both drivers continue to race at the top level, their time together at Toro Rosso remains a defining moment in their respective paths to greatness.
