This week, Sauber confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto as part of their 2025 driver lineup, leaving only one seat open on next year’s grid in Red Bull’s secondary team, RB.

Liam Lawson currently occupies this position after replacing Daniel Ricciardo, and should keep it until the season’s end. At the same time, he is expected to stay on the Formula 1 grid next year, thanks to his results so far but in which team still remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, Sergio Perez has struggled recently, scoring only 12 points in the last six races. This has led to speculation about lineup changes, with some suggesting Lawson might either stay with RB or even take the Mexican’s place on the main Red Bull team.

Another possible contender for one of the Red Bull seats is Franco Colapinto, a rookie who has gained attention since joining Williams as a replacement for Logan Sargeant in September. 

Colapinto’s strong performances have made him an interesting option, and rumors grew even more when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was seen visiting Williams’ hospitality in Brazil.

Despite, William’s team principal, James Vowles, tried to keep things cool, saying that Horner’s visit was simply to try out coffee from the team’s new sponsor, Reviva, rumors about driver moves didn’t go away.

At first, it was thought Horner’s visit might have been about Colapinto, but some suggested it could have also involved Carlos Sainz, who is leaving Ferrari for Williams at the end of the season.

Adding to the rumors, recent reports claimed Sainz’s contract with Williams includes a release clause that would let him leave if Red Bull offered him a spot. However, Williams quickly denied this, saying that Sainz’s contract has no such clause.

While Red Bull reportedly thought about bringing Sainz back to replace Perez, it’s believed that past tensions between him and Max Verstappen, from when they were teammates in Red Bull’s junior team, make this unlikely.

Christian Horner himself recently addressed the rumours, saying that Sainz is not being considered for Red Bull’s 2025 lineup.

“There’s always plenty of speculation in the Formula 1 paddock,” he told talkSPORT.

“Carlos Sainz is going to be a Williams driver next year. He’s a great driver, had a big win in Mexico recently, and I think he’ll be very good for that team.”

When asked if Red Bull was pursuing the Spaniard, Horner replied: “No, Carlos is committed to Williams, and he wouldn’t form part of our plans for next year.”