Liam Lawson has not yet driven a single meter as Max Verstappen’s teammate for Red Bull, and the team already seems to be leaving the door ajar for Carlos Sainz Jr. Team boss Christian Horner does not rule out welcoming the Spaniard back to Red Bull in the future. The Briton immediately explains why he did not choose Sainz for 2024.
Carlos Sainz Jr has not even started his new job as a Williams driver, and he is already in demand with other teams. Despite Liam Lawson securing the coveted seat next to Max Verstappen, team boss Christian Horner does not rule out the Spaniard returning to Red Bull someday.
“Carlos is a fantastic driver, and there are certainly options for him in the future,” Horner tells the media. The British team boss also immediately explains why Sainz was not previously contracted by Red Bull when the Madrid-born driver was told by Ferrari that he had to make way for Lewis Hamilton.
Own Junior Program
“Sainz was certainly considered and in many ways, you could say that there was logic in contracting Carlos. However, we chose to look internally and believe in our junior program,” Horner explains the choice for Lawson. “If we had chosen someone outside the program, it would not send the right message, as there is now so much competition for young drivers.”
The Brit hopes that Lawson’s promotion will show young talents that there is indeed a ‘clear’ path to Formula 1.”
