Former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers has voiced a strong opinion on Carlos Sainz’s status in the sport, stating that the Spaniard does not belong among the elite drivers. During a ViaPlay event in Zandvoort, Albers questioned Sainz’s credentials as a top-tier competitor, pointing out that he has been outperformed by multiple teammates over the years.
“Carlos Sainz is not a true top driver. He has been beaten by Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and even Charles Leclerc. That tells you everything you need to know,” Albers said.
Albers also criticized Williams’ reported interest in signing Sainz for the 2025 season, arguing that the British team would be better off investing in young talent rather than spending significant resources on the Ferrari driver.
“If I were Williams, I would have kept the money in my pocket and gone for a young talent in 2025. It makes no sense to invest heavily in Sainz when there are promising young drivers available,” he added.
Despite acknowledging that Sainz has had standout performances, such as his victory in Singapore last year, Albers believes these moments are too infrequent to justify considering him among the sport’s very best.
“Sainz has his moments, like in Singapore last year, but it’s far too little. A true top driver needs to deliver consistently, and that’s where he falls short.”
