As the Formula 1 paddock focused on Verstappen and his Red Bull future, the Milton Keynes team dropped a bombshell when they sacked Christian Horner as team principal and Red Bull

Sainz begans his F1 career with Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso (now VCARB) in 2015, paired alongside Max Verstappen in what quickly became one of the sport’s fiercest rookie rivalries. Although their relationship as teammates was intense, Sainz insisted it was a “healthy rivalry” and that it has significantly improved since.

With Red Bull off the pace and a daughter at home, Verstappen tells The Athletic he's thinking long term - on and off the grid