Carlos Sainz addresses Max Verstappen pressure factor: 'I can take it'

Carlos Sainz has addressed how Red Bull drivers crumble alongside Max Verstappen, a type of pressure he is confident he "can take". 

The Spaniard partnered Verstappen at Toro Rosso in 2015, in what was both drivers first season in Formula 1. Sainz performed well against the four-time world champion, and did not endure the struggles that team-mates currently suffer next to the 27-year-old.

Since Verstappen moved to Red Bull early in the 2016 season, every driver to partner him has gone on to underperform and fail to cope with the pressure of being alongside him – Daniel Ricciardo was an exception. 

It has resulted in the second seat at the Milton Keynes-based outfit being judged as cursed, with current Red Bull number two driver Yuki Tsunoda having scored just seven points in the last 10 grands prix. 

Sainz is adamant he would not face a similar fate next to the Dutchman, and that partnering him in 2015 has helped him take on some of the strongest drivers on the grid when in the same garage.

Discussing on the High Performance podcast that moving to Red Bull for a fast car does not mean everything is necessarily perfect, Sainz said: "Exactly, I think everyone's having a really tough time being Verstappen's team-mate. 

"I can only say that when I was Max's team-mate, I didn't have this tough time. I was obviously incredibly surprised with how quick he was, with how he's an insane driver. He's probably going to go on to be one of the best-ever in history, if he's not already one of the best-ever in history. 

"But that first year together since then, has given me the confidence to know I can be up against anyone. I've been team-mates with Charles [Leclerc], Lando [Norris], with Nico Hulkenberg. 

"I've been, I think, team-mates with very quick guys and probably the best in the sport, and now Alex [Albon], incredibly fast also. 

"So it just makes me want to be up against the best still, it hasn't made me go on like, 'No, I don't want', I know I can take it, and I know I've been successful in the past."