David Croft tells Red Bull which driver they ‘should have signed’ to be Max Verstappen’s teammate

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Isack Hadjar is about to become the sixth different driver to partner Max Verstappen since the end of 2018. His promotion to Red Bull, at the expense of Yuki Tsunoda, was confirmed on Tuesday.

Red Bull have largely maintained their philosophy of promoting from within. Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo’s successor, stepped up from Toro Rosso, as did Alex Albon when Gasly was ejected.

The only exception was Sergio Perez, who was signed to replace Albon at the end of 2020 after Racing Point released him. Perez was Verstappen’s longest-serving teammate, lasting four seasons.

🔢 Rank Max Verstappen’s five teammates since Daniel Ricciardo

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But when the Mexican lost his way in 2024, Red Bull reverted to type by calling up first Liam Lawson, and then Tsunoda. Neither have reached the level required at the top team.

David Croft says Carlos Sainz was the answer for Red Bull

Speaking on Sky Sports’ F1 Show, David Croft suggested that Red Bull made a mistake by prioritising internal options. He says they should have ‘snapped up’ one of the standout drivers in last year’s market – Carlos Sainz.

Sainz was available after Ferrari let him go to sign Lewis Hamilton, but he ended up choosing between midfield teams instead. After a slow start at Williams, he has been one of F1’s form drivers in the second half of the season.

Sainz scored his second podium for the Grove outfit at the Qatar GP last weekend, which strengthens Croft’s argument that Red Bull may have won the constructors’ title had they signed him. Instead, they enter Abu Dhabi 374 points behind the already-crowned McLaren and 33 adrift of Mercedes in second.

Croft said: “Should Carlos Sainz have gone to Red Bull this year? Not just in hindsight, of course he should have gone to Red Bull this year. As much as he’s enjoying his time at Williams, Red Bull should have signed him alongside Max Verstappen.

“Red Bull could have been constructors’ champions this year with two drivers scoring quality points. That would have been Carlos Sainz, who was on the market and available for them. They should have snapped him up.”

Why did Red Bull choose not to sign Carlos Sainz last year?

Helmut Marko was against signing Sainz, who left the Red Bull set-up at the end of 2017 after he was overlooked.

There was also a theory that Sainz’s relationship with Verstappen was too tense during their spell as teammates at Toro Rosso for Red Bull to risk a reunion. The Spaniard insists he gets on well with the world champion.

Sainz is now prioritising Williams, who are optimistic of fighting for race wins midway through the next ruleset. Both Red Bull and Ferrari, two of his former employers, may regret losing him.