Norris laments Sainz-Red Bull missed opportunity

Lando Norris has issued his “biased” view on Carlos Sainz's driver market position, suggesting the Spaniard should have moved to Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.

Red Bull recently declared Sergio Perez would remain in place until the end of the year despite a recent run of poor form.

The news was shortly followed by Williams' announcement that it had secured Carlos Sainz on a multi-year deal following his exit from Ferrari at the end of the season.

Sainz was briefly linked to the drive at Red Bull prior to his Williams commitment, with his former team-mate Norris admitting he would have liked to see the switch happen. 

“I don't know what their plans are, but honestly, the easy one is just to say Red Bull,” Norris told Sky F1 when asked if he was surprised Sainz wasn't picked up by Red Bull or Mercedes.

“He should have gone there, in my eyes. I'm biased, I know Carlos and I know Checo and that kind of thing - but Carlos deserves a lot.

“He's one of the best drivers in F1, he's proven that countless times. I'm a good friend of his.”

Sainz will partner Alex Albon at Williams as the Grove-based squad as it attempts to return to front-running ways in the coming years.

While Norris shared his delight for Sainz's new commitment, he hinted a deserving position for a switch to Red Bull is a common-held opinion.

“I'm happy for him that he's still in F1, I'm happy that he got a drive and he can try and bring Williams back up,” Norris said.

“Him partnering Alex will be good for F1 at the same time, so that's a good thing. 

“But I'm sure a lot of people would say he should have gone to Red Bull, potentially. But that's not my decision to make.”