Sainz tells son to forget Renault for now

Carlos Sainz's father has told his son to not focus on joining Renault for the 2018 season. It is wildly speculated that the Spaniard will take a spot at the team when his Toro Rosso contract runs out at the end of this year.

Sainz was approached by the French manufacturer to race for the 2017 season but a move was blocked by Red Bull. However, Carlos Sainz Snr says his son should be happy where he is for now. 

"He is privileged because he is in formula one and in the Red Bull orbit," he told the Spanish sports newspaper AS. "What he needs to do is focus on Toro Rosso and forget about everything else.

"He should try to do another good year with Toro Rosso and realise there is more time in the future. If he has a good year, there will be other opportunities," Sainz Snr, a two-time former world rally champion, added.

"It is logical that he wants to develop as a driver and to do that you seek other opportunities, but my advice is to focus on Toro Rosso and the Red Bull world today."

When asked if his son should clear all Renault prospects from his mind, he said: "I think it would be a very serious mistake at this point to get confused -- it is the worst thing you could do. I am convinced that if he continues as he has and does a good year, he will have his options."

Fergal Walsh