Sainz rejects Red Bull 'concern' over potential Verstappen partnership

Carlos Sainz has rejected the idea of tension existing with Max Verstappen as one factor why Red Bull overlooked him for its second seat.

As Sergio Perez has continued to struggle for form, other drivers have been touted as candidates for next year, with Liam Lawson the current favourite to replace the under-fire Mexican racer.

Sainz was also linked with a return to the Red Bull family after it was announced he would be leaving Ferrari in the wake of Lewis Hamiton taking his seat before the Spanish driver instead signed for Williams. 

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has indicated that a possibility behind not trying to agree a deal with Sainz was the tension that existed between him and Verstappen when the duo were rookie drivers at Toro Rosso in 2015.

The four-time grand prix winner, however, has rejected the idea.

"I think I would get on well with him," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "We were 16 and 19 years old back then, we've matured a lot.

"At Toro Rosso, they put you in a team and say, 'Fight each other, then we'll see who's the best and who gets promoted to Red Bull!' That's the reason why Toro Rosso exists. 

"You don't drive there together for the team classification, otherwise the behaviour of the two drivers would change completely. 

"You can see it with Charles and Lando, my last two team-mates. There were never any problems. 

"So if my relationship with Max was the reason why I didn't end up there, then I would say there would have been no problems. If the decision depended solely on that, then it would simply be wrong, but I've already told them that."