Martin Brundle explains why unusual behind-the-scenes issues blocked Carlos Sainz joining Red Bull

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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is ending his time with the team in the best way possible after securing an emotional victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz started the race in Mexico from pole position and despite losing the lead momentarily to Max Verstappen, the Ferrari star had little trouble overtaking his Red Bull rival after the only safety car of the race.

A clash between Verstappen and Lando Norris allowed his teammate Charles Leclerc to jump into second, giving Sainz the buffer he needed to go on and win the fourth race of the F1 career.

Leclerc couldn’t hold onto second to secure back-to-back one-two finishes for Ferrari as he narrowly avoided a huge crash heading down the back straight, allowing the charging Norris through.

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

However, Sainz was the star of the show and got to celebrate in front of the incredible crowd in the stadium section at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez who witnessed a Spanish-speaking driver win the Mexico City Grand Prix for the first time.

Sainz’s days at a top team are numbered, with a move to Williams already lined up for 2025.

Martin Brundle was speaking on Sky Sports F1 about Sainz’s future and was asked about how impressed he’s been with the 30-year-old. 

Sainz is well known for being one of the most intelligent drivers both on and off the track, but also explained the unusual reason why a move to Red Bull was never on the cards.

Martin Brundle explains why Carlos Sainz couldn’t join Red Bull next year

Asked how impressed he’s been with Sainz after finding out he was losing his seat at Ferrari, Brundle said: “He’s been really smart with it.

“I remember doing an interview with him and I was saying, you never know, you might be back at Ferrari and he said, ‘Exactly’.

“The other teams will be watching and looking and being impressed as well with just how he’s handling this and how mature and how fast he’s been.

“And that’s why he’s had the opportunity to talk to pretty much every team that’s got a spare space on the grid, or had a spare space on the grid next year because they’re all interested.

“I mean he’s a world-class driver and he brings a really good work ethic to it.”

Brundle was then asked if Red Bull would be disappointed they didn’t sign Sainz and he continued: “I know Red Bull are sort of on the back foot, despite being the only team with effectively a junior team on the grid in RB.

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

“I think it goes back to when they were teammates, Max and Carlos, and the two drivers and the two dads, it was all pretty feisty and I think that was the impediment from going back there.”

Sergio Perez struggles leave Red Bull pondering their driver options for 2025

In stark contrast to Sainz’s brilliant victory, Red Bull’s second driver Sergio Perez finished his home Grand Priz dead last.

He was eliminated from qualifying in Q1 before being penalised for a false start after missing his grid box.

Perez than had a tough battle with Liam Lawson that eventually saw him pick up damage that ruined his race.

Lawson’s move on Perez will leave many fans in Mexico upset, but they’ll be much angrier if The Kiwi ends up taking his seat next year.

Verstappen doesn’t believe Perez is Red Bull’s biggest problem, but the Mexican’s performances have to improve significantly to justify his position in the team.