---
title: "Sainz: Toro Rosso ‘closer’ after Verstappen departure"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/08/11/sainz-toro-rosso-closer-verstappen-departure/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2016-08-11T14:10:30Z"
modified: "2016-08-11T14:12:37Z"
---

# Sainz: Toro Rosso ‘closer’ after Verstappen departure

Carlos Sainz believes Toro Rosso has become ‘closer as a team’ since Max Verstappen joined Red Bull.

The Dutchman was promoted in place of Daniil Kvyat from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards in a politically-motivated move that was publicly blamed on the Russian’s opening lap collisions with Sebastian Vettel in Sochi.

Sainz has since used the change in the atmosphere at Toro Rosso to move out of Verstappen’s shadow and score in eight of the twelve races so far this season.

In the Spaniard’s opinion, the driver swap allowed the Italian outfit to become more united and act more openly towards one another.

When asked if the team dynamic had changed since Kvyat’s arrival, the Spaniard told [Autosport](https://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/125660/toro-rosso-more-of-a-team-after-verstappen): “The only thing that has changed is I know Daniil a lot more from previous categories.

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/08/516637476.jpg)“I know how he works, how he acts, we know each other perfectly. With Max, it was a new team-mate for me from 2015 onwards.

“On the team dynamic, maybe everything is a bit more open, everyone started working a bit more together, maybe started working in more of a team.

“The separation was there but it is normal that it was there when you have two strong teammates.”

Sainz also believed there was always friction when partnered with Verstappen due to their competitive nature, however, he adds that he did enjoy his inter-team battles with the teenager.

“I was enjoying it. When you have two strong teammates, there will always be some friction between the two drivers.

“It was not that I was not liking it. We had to deal with it but I didn’t see it as a bad situation.”