David Coulthard shares the only way he could see Carlos Sainz joining Red Bull in 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

Throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has been at the centre of the speculation in the driver’s market.

Carlos Sainz discovered before the season even began in Bahrain that he wouldn’t be retained by Ferrari for 2025.

Sainz was in discussions over a new contract, but the availability of Lewis Hamilton made his exit an inevitability.

The Spaniard then spent months being linked with virtually every team in the paddock, aside from the manufacturers challenging for victories.

Toto Wolff never ruled out a move for Sainz, but in the end, Williams secured the 30-year-old’s services.

However, despite having a multi-year deal with James Vowles’s team, Sainz is still courting attention.

Red Bull find themselves in a predicament with Sergio Perez not reaching the level required to drive for the Anglo-Austrian team.

His performances have likely cost Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship, and team principal Christian Horner was spotted talking to Williams in Brazil about Sainz.

Horner has since moved to rule out a move for Sainz, but speaking on the Formula For Success Members Club Podcast, David Coulthard explained how the four-time F1 race winner could still end up replacing Perez.

David Coulthard explains unlikely Carlos Sainz to Red Bull scenario

Coulthard was answering a question from a fan after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and was asked: “Is there a scenario where Carlos Sainz goes to Red Bull to replace Checo and Colapinto takes a Williams seat?

“That’s a really interesting one. No, is the answer to it.

“Carlos is, well is it possible? Yeah, if money was paid, there’s always a way that Carlos could go to Red Bull.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

“But I think, before Carlos Sainz signed for Williams, he looked at all the possibilities and Red Bull weren’t available.

“So, I think that what we have is about where Colapinto goes and whether he pops up at Audi or whether he becomes super sub somewhere else.”

Red Bull faced with prospect of buying out Franco Colapinto’s Williams contract

As Coulthard suggests, Red Bull’s best and only way of signing Sainz would be to buy out a contract at Williams that hasn’t even started yet.

That might be why Horner was ruled out the move as it’s likely to be an incredibly expensive deal.

Horner may also have to factor in paying off Perez if he’s dropped at the end of the year.

Perez may no longer have easy release clauses in his deal that would facilitate a swift exit.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Damon Hill admitted that Perez’s manager thinks his contract is watertight, which might be why he hasn’t already been let go despite only coming close to finishing on the podium once since the Sprint Race in Miami.

Franco Colapinto is another driver on Red Bull’s radar, but he’s unlikely to be a cheap option either.

The Argentinian would likely slot in at RB, with Liam Lawson’s case for replacing Perez getting stronger with each race.

Red Bull have been told how much Colapinto would cost, so they now need to weigh up the pros and cons of that potential move.