Carlos Sainz wants to stay: "Renault is a pleasure"
- Published on 25 Jun 2018 11:14
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- By: Danny Sosef
Carlos Sainz says he would be happy to stay at Renault in 2019. Actually, the Spaniard is merely 'on loan' to the French team this year, as Red Bull has contractual control of his career.
And if Daniel Ricciardo leaves Red Bull for 2019, it will probably be Sainz who is appointed to replace him. At the same time, while Nico Hulkenberg has been faster this year, Renault seems happy to keep Sainz for 2019.
But yet another factor could be Red Bull's forthcoming switch from Renault to Honda power. "We can say that it's unconnected to engine decisions but it's not," Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul said at Paul Ricard when asked about Sainz's future.
Abiteboul said he is "happy" with Sainz, and the 23-year-old driver also sounds keen to stay. "It would be a pleasure to stay at Renault," he told El Pais newspaper. "I'm happy where I am. I think this team has a lot of potential and, whatever happens, I'm very proud of how we are doing things here at Renault. For me it would be a pleasure to stay," Sainz repeated.
Renault advisor Alain Prost agrees that Hulkenberg alongside Sainz is currently working well.
"Sometimes in a team there are big differences in the attitude of the drivers, or how they work with the engineers," he said. "But from what I see, these two complement each other very well.
"The important thing is that they go in the same direction and push the team to be the best," Prost added.
Abiteboul agrees: "The loyalty that we feel from our two drivers is crucial, because we are still building the team.
"We are not yet at the highest level so we cannot afford to have selfish individuals."
And although a Red Bull seat could be looming, Sainz seems patient about waiting to succeed in a yellow car.
"I have my ambitions and I am very competitive. I like to win," he said.
"But currently in F1, there are three teams that are a second and a half ahead of the rest, and we really are the first of the rest.
"We know that it will not happen overnight as we still have a lot of growing to do, and hopefully that happens in the next year or next couple of years. I think there's no hurry either," Sainz added.
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Replies (6)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Looking at what Horner said about it, it would actually not surprise me if he'll get to stay there. Unless Ricciardo get a contract somewhere else, that is.
BENNY DONKER
Posts: 1,976
I think Herr Marko does not want him back.
Kean
Posts: 692
I think RBR will take Gasly if Ricciardo leaves. So likely, imo, is that Sainz stays.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
While they could take Gasly, Im not sure they wanna risk getting a driver thats so fresh into their main team. And grabbing Sainz could force Renault into taking a driver they dont feel comfortable with, whereas RBR has already worked with Sainz before. On the other hand Gasly has performed very well so far. But whom would they replace him with? AFAIK, there is no optimal choice, aside from maybe stealing Norris from McLaren. Either choice could do, but Im leaning more towards Sainz getting into RBR if Ric leaves.
maalibu
Posts: 17
Sainz is a big talent... The difference to Max is that He will grow with time. RBR cant aford to lose him.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
There is a reason on why they off loaded him to Renault. I believe its to do with his ultimate speed and consistency. It would be better if Renault could keep hold off him. Gasly would be a better choice since there aren't any other drivers that are better or proven. Norris isn't a proven F1 driver it takes time and experience to get the level required for one of the top teams. Redbull could actually sign someone like KMAG.