Carlos Sainz reveals Red Bull’s ultimatum to enter F1
In 2014, Red Bull put Carlos Sainz under pressure: he had to win the Formula Renault 3.5 to secure his place in F1. Thanks to his father's advice, he clinched the title and joined the Toro Rosso team the following year.
Carlos Sainz has not always been assured of his future in Formula 1. In 2014, he found himself under pressure, with Red Bull telling him that year would be his last chance to prove he belonged among the elite of motorsport. “I remember I was getting close to Formula 1, it was a year or two before getting there, and Red Bull told me: ‘OK, next year is your last chance, you’re entering Formula Renault 3.5, and either you win, or there’s no place for you in Formula 1,'” confides Sainz to the magazine Rolling Stone.
The pressure was enormous. Young as he was, he had to face a relentless ultimatum. He had to win or lose everything. « I was between 18 and 19 years old, so you feel the pressure, and I suddenly realized that by believing I would always succeed because you’re naive when you’re younger, you say: ‘I have the talent, I win, I will succeed,’ that maybe I might not succeed. »
The crucial role of Carlos Sainz Senior
Faced with this ultimatum, Carlos Sainz was able to rely on significant support: his father, Carlos Sainz Senior, a double world rally champion. In these moments of doubt, he knew how to offer him valuable advice. « I was lucky to have my father, who was already a world champion at the time, saying: ‘This is what you need to become a world champion.’ »
This unwavering support allowed Sainz to refocus, better understand the situation, and approach the competition with a new vision. « If my father wasn’t there to help and guide me in my preparation, I wouldn’t be where I am now. » These pieces of advice were crucial in the victory of young Carlos, who won the Formula Renault 3.5 title with seven victories to his name.
The 2014 season proved to be a mountain to climb for Sainz. Competing with talents like Pierre Gasly, Oliver Rowland, Sergey Sirotkin, and Esteban Ocon, he had to show he had what it takes to make it to Formula 1. His domination in Formula Renault 3.5 made all the difference. He didn’t just participate in the competition, he crushed it.
With seven victories in total and a series of impressive performances, this success in 2014 was key to his promotion to Toro Rosso in 2015, where he would join Max Verstappen, another prodigy of the Red Bull program.
A meteoric rise
From Toro Rosso to Ferrari, Sainz is now a recognized driver in F1. His arrival at Williams in 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for the Spanish driver, determined to reinvigorate a team in search of results. For Carlos Sainz, it’s not just about returning to the top, but about tackling new challenges and adding even more chapters to an already accomplished career.
