Red Bull boss Christian Horner has denied that Carlos Sainz is among the candidates that are being considered in relation to the team’s 2025 Formula 1 driver line-up.
The reigning champions looked to have locked down its driver pairing heading into next season when it announced in June that Sergio Perez had signed an extension.
However, the decision to hand Perez a renewal through 2025 hasn’t delivered the upturn in results that it hoped as he has continued to sustain a disastrous campaign.
The Mexican’s slump has prompted reports that he could lose his drive, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko admitting a discussion will be held once the season ends.
Horner was spotted attending Williams’ hospitality in Brazil last weekend amid speculation that Red Bull holds a genuine interest in acquiring rookie Franco Colapinto.
But rumours suggested that the conversation between Horner and Williams boss James Vowles revolved around Sainz, who will take Colapinto’s current seat in 2025.
Horner, though, has dismissed the report that the visit comprised him sounding out whether a move to bring Sainz back into the Red Bull stable was a viable situation.
“There’s always plenty of speculation in the Formula 1 paddock,” Horner told talkSPORT.
“Carlos Sainz is going to be a Williams driver next year. He’s a great driver, had a big win in Mexico recently, and I think he’ll be very good for that team.”
Asked whether Red Bull was courting Sainz, Horner responded: “No, Carlos is committed to Williams, and he wouldn’t form part of our plans for next year.”
Sainz explains Williams choice
Red Bull passed up the chance to strike a deal with Sainz earlier this term, narrowing the Spaniard’s options to Alpine, the Audi-owned Sauber team and also Williams.
Sainz has revealed that Vowles approaching him even prior to the news that Lewis Hamilton will replace him at Ferrari had a monumental role in him picking Williams,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“Williams is the one that has invested in me, that have backed me up from the beginning, the ones that came to me a full year ago, and that actually makes me super excited.
“I said, ‘I want to give to these guys what they’ve given to me, give back to them this trust and this belief in me’, and it actually gives me good strength – and I cannot wait to go there and together with them, build something good.”
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