Christian Horner shares honest opinion on 'regrets' over not signing Carlos Sainz as Sergio Perez’s Red Bull replacement

Red Bull Racing's team principal Christian Horner recently talked about why Carlos Sainz wasn't picked to replace Sergio Perez early on at Red Bull. Horner's primary reasons for not picking Sainz, despite his talent, had to do with a variety of factors, with the team principal adding that Perez's success at the time of his contract extension was reason enough to keep him for the future.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Horner was asked if he had any 'regrets' in not picking Sainz, who had been without a seat since the beginning of the year after seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was announced to be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season. Horner acknowledged Sainz's good performance but explained that choosing to remain with Perez at the time when his contract was being extended was also based on the Mexican's podium-finishing racing.

The Red Bull team principal said (via F1.com):

“I think Carlos is a great driver and we’ve seen that obviously this year. Sometimes you’ve got to look at all the various criteria and dynamics, and at the point that we extended Checo’s contract, you have to remember he was second in the world championship and finishing on podiums in the first four out of five races.”

At the end of the 2024 season, Sergio Perez finished eighth in the drivers' standings, 138 points below Carlos Sainz. Speaking about Perez's points standings which contributed to Red Bull's 3rd place on the constructors' board, Horner said:

“I think there’s ‘should’ve, could’ve, would’ve’ when you look back."

He also touched on the points difference between Perez and the Drivers' Champion Max Verstappen:

“Unfortunately we had a 280-point deficit between our drivers, and of course that became quite expensive in terms of the constructors’ championship.”

In July of last year, it was announced that Carlos Sainz would be moving to Williams for the 2025 season, signing a multi-year contract with the Grove-based team.

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Carlos Sainz talks about "complex" drivers' market

Carlos Sainz spotted in the car in the pit with his new team Williams at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi - Source: Getty

In the release announcing Carlos Sainz's move to Williams, the Spanish driver spoke about the complicated drivers' market in 2024 that caused him to take some time to provide clarity for his 2025 seat. He also talked about how joining a team where his idols have raced added significant meaning while considering his new seat for next year.

In the release, Sainz said (via Williams):

“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. It is no secret that this year’s driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision. However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport."

Sainz also laid out his plans with the team moving forward, saying:

"The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity."

Carlos Sainz joins Alex Albon at Williams next year when the season begins with the first race in Melbourne, Australia.