Reports that Max Verstappen has vetoed any chance of Carlos Sainz replacing Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull are way off the mark according to team consultant Helmut Marko, suggesting that the Spaniard is still in the running to replace Renault bound Daniel Ricciardo.
In the wake of Ricciardo's surprise move to Renault for 2019, Red Bull have available one of the most coveted seats on the grid available. Sainz, with his Toro Rosso and Red Bull background, was expected to slot into the team alongside Verstappen.
However, reports since emerged suggesting that Red Bull would want to avoid pairing the two who endured a fractious relationship when they shared a garage with Toro Rosso.
The Austrian doctor told El Confidencial, "Daniel called me on Thursday to inform me about the decision to leave the team at the end of the season. He spent most of his career at Red Bull and told me he wanted a change."
"Now we will have to think about who will be Max's teammate. The rumours that point to the veto of Verstappen of Sainz, are bullshit. Red Bull is the only one that decides on its driver pairing," added Marko in typical no-nonsense style.
Thus it would be fair to assume that Sainz, on loan to Renault, is still high on the list to get Ricciardo's vacated drive.
Toro Rosso team chief Franz Tost, who managed the pair during their time at Toro Rosso rates Sainz highly, "Carlos has a speed similar or equal to Max."
In the end, Red Bull put their money on Verstappen rather than Sainz when the young Dutchman was promoted to the senior team to replace wayward Daniil Kvyat at the time.
Verstappen seized the opportunity to win his first grand prix for the team - the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix - and the rest, as they say, is history.
Pierre Gasly is also in line to be promoted, showing well in his first full season with Toro Rosso in the top flight.
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