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Renault has admitted that they are still keen on signing Carlos Sainz for the 2018 season. Sainz was approached by the French team last year, but Red Bull blocked the move in a bid to hold onto the junior driver. This year, it may be more difficult for the team to hold onto him, as the Spaniard has said he wants a championship winning car in 2018.
While Renault is unlikely to make such a leap for next season, it is possible that they can return to the forefront of the sport in the coming years as they are a works team with much more resources than those around it. Red Bull is also unlikely to promote Sainz to the team unless Verstappen's management can sneak him out of the team and into Ferrari or Mercedes.
"Honestly, we do have an eye on him," team boss Cyril Abiteboul told Spain's Movistar broadcaster. "I understand he has a long-term contract with Red Bull, but we have many conversations with them. We will see," the Frenchman added. "He has a contract for next year, but I do not deny that we have an interest should he be available."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Good luck convincing Marko to let him go.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Yeah, that's gonna be a struggle. But they are after all their engine supplier, so it's not that far fetched that they could work something out. As I remember, Sainz would be a free agent in 2019, so it doesn't make that much sense to fight for him tooth and nail, if they don't have a Red Bull seat for him in 2018 anyway. Then I'd suggest it would be better to get some compensation, and move their most talented academy driver up.
Fitipaldi100
Posts: 25
Okay, so it's starting to role now, Verstappen to Mercedes, empty seat of the Red Bull is for Sainz, and Bottas goes to Renault. For sure Bottas is good, but Verstappen is the upperclass.