Dutch star Max Verstappen is rumoured to be opposed to seeing his former Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz occupy the second seat at Red Bull Racing in 2019.

Daniel Ricciardo’s unexpected move from Red Bull to Renault has sent the drivers’ market into a state of flux, with numerous opportunities for change suddenly emerging.

Earlier this summer, team principal Christian Horner stated that Sainz would be the most likely successor to Ricciardo’s seat.

However, according to Spanish daily Marca, the Verstappen camp is very much against the idea of reuniting the Dutch enigma with his former teammate Sainz.

The pair endured a difficult and strenuous relationship in their final months together at Toro Rosso in late 2015 and early 2016.

Verstappen’s negative view of Sainz could possibly play into the hands of 22-year-old Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who is another driver linked with Ricciardo's seat, while the 23-year-old Spaniard could find refuge over at McLaren, where Zak Brown has already partly opened the door.

“We think Carlos is an excellent race car driver,” said Brown last weekend in Hungary.

“He’s certainly someone that as you go down the shortlist of drivers you’d consider putting in a race car.

“If he was free, and if we had a seat, he would certainly be high up on the consideration set.”

There has also been much speculation and uncertainty surrounding the future of Spanish legend and former world champion Fernando Alonso.

“We do have a long-term agreement in place with Stoffel and Fernando, but as you can imagine in these contracts there’s a variety of elements to them,” added Brown.

“We will make our driver decision ultimately when we’re ready. I anticipate that being some time after the summer break.

“We’re still reviewing, analysing what’s the best combination for McLaren moving forward. Stoffel is very much part of that consideration set.”