Sainz targeting championship fight in 2018

Carlos Sainz has set himself some high goals for 2018, stating that he wants to fight for the world championship next season. The Spaniard currently races for Toro Rosso and is currently part of the Red Bull programme, who do not look ready to offset one of their senior drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappenen. 

Sainz made his debut in Formula 1 in 2015 and has impressed ever since. He has finished sixth four times, which remains his highest finish to date. He has also been linked with a drive for Ferrari and Renault for next season, but he states his priority is to compete for a championship.

"Ideally I want to fight for a world championship [in 2018], I want to have the chance to show everyone that I'm able to fight for a world championship," he told Crash.net. "Red Bull knows this, I've told them, they know it perfectly, and I think if I keep bringing home good results the opportunity will come, and hopefully it will come with Red Bull, this is my target and this is what I'm looking for."

While he waits, all he can do is drive his best and hope that Red Bull see the potential in him. Toro Rosso has previously stated that P5 in the constructor championship is possible, and that is the 22-year-old's main focus right now.

"My target is P5 in the constructors' championship at least, that's the target of Toro Rosso, it's been the target for the past three seasons, and from there we will see. Personally, getting in the points whenever I finish a race and keep this run of consistency that I'm having now. 

"I'm obviously really happy with how these first races have gone. Particularly with the early points, particularly with Monaco especially, that was a big weekend for me. It hasn't been as easy as it looks, sometimes we've struggled to qualify in the top 12, even in the top 10 compared to last year - it's a lot tighter to get in there. 

"We have to do a lot of races coming a bit from the back, but still we've managed to get the points. The team has improved a lot in pit stop strategy, so it's helping."

Fergal Walsh