Former F1 star Nico Rosberg told viewers live on Sky Sports F1 that he witnessed Red Bull manager Christian Horner talking to Carlos Sainz Sr. before the Chinese Grand Prix.
Nico Rosberg has claimed Carlos Sainz is “trying to get millions more” from Red Bull after finding out about the F1 star’s father in a conversation with Christian Horner.
Sainz is a candidate for the seat currently occupied by Sergio Perez. Red Bull will not make a decision immediately, but team principal Horner confirmed that talks had taken place with Sainz this weekend.
The Spaniard left Ferrari and started the season on a high note. But Perez has also performed well, and Red Bull say the seat alongside Max Verstappen is something the Mexican should lose, at least for now.
Assessing Perez’s situation before Sunday’s race in Shanghai, Rosberg said Perez needed to behave “well” and be a good ally to Verstappen if he was to keep his seat. And he also told Sky Sports viewers what he had seen in the paddock the day before.
He said: “I know they’ve made an offer to Carlos Sainz. Yesterday I saw daddy Sainz talking to Christian Horner.” They were stingy. So they’re trying to get a few more million dollars.” Get out of him! ”
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko last week insisted the team could not match the “lucrative” offer already made by newcomers Audi for Sainz. The German carmaker long ago targeted the 29-year-old as a top driver.
Horner said he did not know the details of Audi’s offer, but insisted Sainz wanted to join Red Bull anyway. The team principal said: “As you can see by the level of interest from the other drivers in the room, a driver of Carlos’ caliber wants to be in a car that can win.
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“And we have one seat for next year, and his goal is necessarily that seat. But his problem is that it’s the Czech Republic.” [Perez] He’s been there and done a really great job as a team. Although we are in a luxurious situation, we are in no rush and will take our time to consider our options.”
Verstappen won easily at the Chinese Grand Prix, but Perez was unable to back him up in a one-two. He had to settle for third place as Lando Norris took a tire off his McLaren and cut between the Red Bulls.
It was a tougher day for Sainz, who missed out on the podium for the first time this year. He had to settle for fifth place as Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc struggled to match his pace throughout the race.
