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In 2015, two young upstarts made their Formula 1 debut.
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. both ‘graduated’ from the Red Bull driving academy and were pushed to the then-team Toro Rosso. That year, both drivers displayed immense talent and courage, and at times it seemed that the high level of competition could overflow, leading to the two youths being beaten.
Fortunately, it never came to that. Verstappen finished the 2015 season in twelfth place with 49 points, and Sainz in fifteenth place with 18 points. It’s a big difference, but Sainz suffered more technical withdrawals than Verstappen that year. However, a perfect race for both drivers would not have altered the order of arrival.
While both impressed in their debut season, it was Verstappen who impressed the most. In 2016, after just four races, he was promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull from the fifth race of the season (Spain) onwards. Sainz stayed at Toro Rosso for 2016 and had to watch from the side as Verstappen drew admiration from the F1 world.
Do you think Carlos Sainz Jr. will impress at Ferrari next year? Share your ideas with us.
Carlos Sainz Jr. (left) and Max Verstappen in 2015. Image: Getty Images
Team to team
While Verstappen built the Red Bull team around him, Sainz had a much more difficult time claiming his claim. He remained with Toro Rosso until 2017, after tireless attempts to reach Red Bull. The engine deals between Red Bull, McLaren and Renault made Sainz the pawn in a power struggle between these teams.
From the 2017 United States GP onward, Sainz would be a Renault driver, associated with Nico Hulkenberg. In 2018, the two drivers did their best to lift Renault out of the slump, but it was too high a mountain to climb for drivers not seen as Tier 1.
READ: Ferrari tester says Sainz ‘is not number 2 driver’
In early 2019, Sainz switched teams again, this time signing with McLaren-Renault after the departure of his Spanish teammate, Fernando Alonso. Sainz and Lando Norris would be two new signings for the British team, but the duo made impressive progressions and led McLaren to fourth place in the 2019 championship. For McLaren, this was a match made in heaven, and the team hoped to give Welcome to the future with these two pilots in the middle.
While the 2020 F1 season has yet to start, massive developments occurred in the second full week of May. Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari announced the end of their partnership at the end of the year. Given that Sainz is also out of contract in late 2020, the legendary Italian team acquired his services by 2021, a move that eventually placed Sainz on a superior team and returned to the fight with Max Verstappen.
Sweet Revenge
Verstappen is still with Red Bull, chasing that elusive championship. As it stands, three of F1’s best prospects will face the power of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. At Red Bull camp, it’s Verstappen (and his teammate Alex Albon. Maybe). Then for Ferrari, they are Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
But Sainz and Verstappen will have to solve their sub-battle. In his early years, Sainz felt he was the most consistent driver and most deserving of driving Red Bull 2016. Verstappen, in his typical arrogant style, dismissed such claims and announced that he was the better driver of the two.
READ: Formula 1 Grid in 2021 – Here’s What We Know So Far
Sainz will want to prove to Red Bull and the entire F1 paddock that he deserves the Ferrari seat and that he is the best driver between himself and Verstappen. For Sainz, having to wait five years for his advance is a sign of maturity. He has proven himself to be a reliable, safe, and fast driver who can drive points home. You may not have had the machinery to challenge victories and podiums, but that will all change in 2021.
In 2019, Sainz registered his first podium at the Brazilian GP, albeit through a penalty. But it was McLaren’s first podium since 2014. Also in 2019, Sainz finished the season in sixth place, behind Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc and Vettel.
In 2020, given the strong momentum McLaren will continue from 2019, Sainz and Norris could register the podiums, but Sainz will be a man on a mission.
Watch out, Max. The Spanish bull is charging!
Carlos Sainz Jr. (right) and Lando Norris. Image: Getty Images
