Sainz "an option" for McLaren in 2018 says Boullier

McLaren is not ruling out making a move for impressive young Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard has been linked with a move away from Toro Rosso as he is said to be frustrated at being left in the junior team with very little scope to oust the two main team drivers, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, both of which are already contracted for the 2018 season at Red Bull.

It is therefore considered likely that Sainz is looking to move away from the Red Bull family as he is a highly rated driver in the F1 paddock, and his talents are thought to be wasted in a relatively uncompetitive car.

McLaren already has Stoffel Vandoorne contracted for the 2018 and would ideally like to keep Fernando Alonso in the other seat, but he is said to have lost patience with the team and especially the Honda engine and is looking to move to a team capable of giving him a car to win from next season.

In light of the likelihood of Alonso moving away and Sainz also searching for pastures new, a McLaren Sainz deal has been rumoured.

When asked on the topic of Sainz, Boullier responded with: "I know him and I like him. Everyone in this paddock is an option, You have to look at the contracts and if he is free, but I like Carlos and he's an option, yes," said the Frenchman.

He went on to add that his two current drivers are his preferred options, going on to expand with: "Saying that, we want to keep Fernando and we hope he continues with us, to be the champion we want, and we also believe in Stoffel, Those are our real options."

Sam Gale