Sainz to Red Bull? Horner delivers decisive verdict

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has shot down in flames suggestions of a late move for Carlos Sainz despite the Spanish driver signing for Williams earlier this year.

Sainz found himself on the open market on February 1 when the shock announcement emerged that Lewis Hamilton would switch to Ferrari next season.

The 30-year-old was linked with numerous seats as the months ticked, including Red Bull and Mercedes, only for the former, in particular, to re-sign Sergio Perez to a one-plus-one deal, with a guarantee for next year and an option for 2026.

Perez’s form, though, has been wretched since placing fourth in the Miami Grand Prix in early May as he has scored a paltry 48 points in 15 races, and just eight in the last five.

It has resulted in feverish speculation that Red Bull will make a change after the season has finished, with RB duo Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in the frame, along with Williams’ Franco Colapinto.

The Argentine has performed superbly since being parachuted in to replace the axed Logan Sargeant after the Dutch GP. With Williams signing Sainz as team-mate to Alex Albon, there is no room for Colapinto next season.

Remarkably, in the light of Sainz’s form this season, including two wins in a campaign for the first time in his career, rumours have suggested Williams would be willing to release him from his deal and allow him to go to Red Bull in order to hang on to Colapinto.

Responding to the suggestion on Talksport, Horner did not initially put the conjecture to bed. He said: “Look, there’s always plenty of speculation in the Formula 1 paddock.

“And, you know, Carlos Sainz is going to be a Williams driver next year. He’s a great driver, he had a big win in Mexico recently, and I think he’ll be very good for that team.”

But then pressed on whether it is something he would consider, Horner replied: “Carlos is committed to Williams, and he wouldn’t form part of our plans for next year.”