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27-time podium driver was Christian Horner’s backup plan if Max Verstappen left Red Bull

Originally posted on HITC | By Ben Evans | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 9:57 AM ET

Red Bull Racing are experiencing their roughest season since they joined Formula 1 two decades ago.

Christian Horner, who was in charge when Red Bull made their debut in Australia back in 2005, was removed from his position following the British Grand Prix.

Laurent Mekies was appointed following a loss of support for Horner from the Thai owners, as the Austrian side of Red Bull sought a new direction.

But this season’s biggest concern has been the ongoing question of Max Verstappen’s future with the team.

The Dutchman had already won four consecutive drivers’ titles, but signs were clear even last year that Red Bull’s grip on F1 was slipping.

Those concerns have become reality this year. Verstappen is now trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by nearly 100 points.

There were strong links between Verstappen and a move to Mercedes. In case he did leave, Horner needed to have options lined up.

He had his eye on two potential replacements. However, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm believes the former Red Bull chief was working on a plan to bring Carlos Sainz over from Williams.

Christian Horner planned ‘very aggressive’ move for Carlos Sainz to potentially replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, Mitchell-Malm said: “I know that the one place where Sainz was on the radar was Christian Horner’s Red Bull.

“I believe that Sainz was part of a very, very aggressive sort of Verstappen plan B, basically, that Horner quite liked the idea of.

“Which was, well if Verstappen’s gone you’ve got a load of money and you’ve got no potential tension or anything like that to worry about.”

“I mean, the idea of them paying a load of money to extract Carlos Sainz, who they could have got for free last year. Not for free but he was a free agent. They had to pay him a salary, of course.”

Mitchell-Malm added: “Go after Sainz and George Russell because obviously Verstappen if he left Red Bull he’d be going to Mercedes. So I feel like Sainz was on the Red Bull radar.”

Carlos Sainz makes decision on Williams contract exit clause after tricky 2025 season

Sainz had been one of the best performers in 2024 despite knowing for much of the year that Lewis Hamilton would be taking his seat at Ferrari for 2025.

The Spaniard’s victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix stood out as another highlight. He dominated qualifying and handled Verstappen comfortably to claim his fourth win and 27th podium in Formula 1.

TEAM	DRIVER 1	DRIVER 2
Alpine	Pierre Gasly	N/A
Aston Martin	Fernando Alonso	Lance Stroll
Audi	Gabriel Bortoleto	Nico Hulkenberg
Cadillac	N/A	N/A
Ferrari	Charles Leclerc	Lewis Hamilton
Haas	Esteban Ocon	Oliver Bearman
McLaren	Lando Norris	Oscar Piastri
Mercedes	N/A	N/A
Racing Bulls	N/A	N/A
Red Bull Racing	Max Verstappen	N/A
Williams	Alex Albon	Carlos Sainz

2026 confirmed F1 drivers

Since joining Williams, Sainz has at times struggled. Despite flashes of quality, he is currently 38 points behind his teammate Alex Albon.

James Vowles, Williams team principal, remains committed to supporting him despite links earlier in his career with Alpine and Sauber.

Sainz reportedly had an exit clause included in his current agreement. However, without appealing alternatives available within F1 right now, he appears likely to stay put through next season.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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