Christian Horner has been told by an ex-F1 driver and former Ferrari engineer that Red Bull ‘nemesis’ Carlos Sainz would help in his power struggle against the Verstappens. A seat could become available next season if Sergio Perez is cast aside or Max Verstappen opts to break free from his contract and move on
The influence of reigning triple world champion Verstappen and his father Jos came to the fore earlier this season, when the former threatened to leave if Red Bull axed his mentor Helmut Marko, and the latter put Horner under significant pressure by calling for him to step down.
Verstappen has been the dominant force not only at Red Bull, but in the whole of F1 since pipping Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 world title. Horner has now been told that recruiting Sainz, who is being replaced by Hamilton at Ferrari next year, would help his case in the power struggle unfolding at Red Bull.
Horner admitted after Sainz’s Australian Grand Prix victory on Sunday that he is causing Red Bull more problems than anyone else. “Carlos is the only driver that’s beaten Red Bull so he appears to be our nemesis.” said the Red Bull boss.
