Red Bull Racing has reportedly severed ties with its driver, Carlos Sainz Jr, and the Spaniard is no longer involved in the future of the Austrian team. This is according Germany's Auto Bild after Sainz has criticized Red Bull and Toro Rosso in recent weeks in a number of different interviews.
With Red Bull reportedly severing connections with Sainz, the team will let the driver move to Renault, despite holding a contract with Toro Rosso for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Currently, Renault's Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul, and Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko are negotiating a deal to get Sainz out of his Toro Rosso contract, although the Enstone-based team would have to raise an expected $8 million.
If Renault are able to raise this amount of money, Sainz would replace Jolyon Palmer at Renault for the Hungarian Grand Prix to partner Nico Hulkenberg, while Red Bull Junior Pierre Gasly would replace Sainz at Toro Rosso.
"If a driver does not want to stay, if the love is extinguished, you can not force a contract with contracts, you should let go," said Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz when talking to Auto Bild at the Austrian Grand Prix last week.
Chris Soulsby
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
I'm very curious about his performance level at another team. I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles a lot in the beginning.
Otherwise I have no idea who would and could jump into that seat. I don't see RB hiring Giovinazzi for example. So it must be a RB junior or a PR stunt
Auto Bild is a gossip magazine, they make stuff up all the time
Sainz dus naar Renault, Max terug naar TR vanaf Hongarije en Kubica neemt plaats naast Ricciardo.
Bron: F1geruchtenPUNTnl :-)
To translate this rumour; max signed precontract with ferrari; releasing sainz in order to put max back to tr; kubica in for max in redbull.
My thoughts are: No way that scenario is going to play out.
It makes no sense whatsoever for basically anybody involved.
A move to Renault would be considered lateral at best for Sainz, at this point. If he switches in 6 months, Renault might be in a better place.
Renault is currently looking into getting Kubica back on track, which would be an absolute dream for their marketing department, not to mention he is one of the most competent drivers out there, if he can get close to 100%
Red bull has also been very adamant about keeping their drivers, and the fact that there is no out-clause. It's hard to imagine Ricciardo and Verstappen both sticking around for years to come, which would open the door for Sainz.
I dunno, it could happen, but it defies logic.