Sainz 'Not Going To Make Difference' If He Joins Red Bull According To Bleekemolen
F1Wednesday, 17 April 2024 at 15:00
Updated at Wednesday, 17 April 2024 at 15:51
Carlos Sainz wouldn't make much of a difference at Red Bull, according to Dutch racing driver Michael Bleekemolen.
Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, made it clear that Sergio Perez, whose contract expires at the end of this season, might get an extension and will be prioritized if he can show improvement.
While the Mexican F1 driver has made a real step forward this season, and Lawrence Baretto claims the Milton Keynes team is increasingly satisfied with him, Red Bull might also want to consider Carlos Sainz.
In fact, after the first four rounds of the 2024 season, Helmut Marko already suggested that Sainz "is certainly a name to consider."
Commenting on prospects of seeing the 29-year-old Ferrari driver in the Austrian team, Bleekemolen told RacingNews365:
"I can see that for me. but [being Verstappen's team-mate] is terribly difficult for everyone. It won't be like Sainz passes him either."
"You are up against the World Champion who is so confident and has so much strength, both physically and mentally. It won't be possible to get past him."
The 74-year-old believes there isn't too big of a difference between Checo and Sainz. Although he admits, he would rather see the Spaniard alongside Verstappen.
"It would be very interesting if he were in the same car. But believe me, he might be a tenth better than Perez, but he's not going to make the big difference. But, I would still take our Spanish friend if it goes between those two."
Driving alongside the triple World Champion made Perez look a bit slower during the last three years at Red Bull, but he has previously shown he's a very fast driver.
The Mexican driver achieved multiple podiums and even a victory with Racing Point and Force India (which were both essentially the same rebranded team) before joining the team from Milton Keynes.
Perez also wasn't the first driver to seem slower once paired with the Dutchman. Other examples include Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon (though both of these were rookies at the time). Could the 26-year-old Red Bull Racing driver be two-tenths faster than everyone?
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