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Sainz says fourth year at Toro Rosso is "unlikely"

Published on 06 Jul 2017 17:12
6
By: Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz admits that another year at Toro Rosso is unlikely for him as he targets bigger and better things for 2018. Sainz joined the Red Bull junior team in 2015 alongside Max Verstappen but missed out on the call-up in 2016 when the senior team opted for his Dutch teammate to replace Daniil Kvyat.

Sainz is hoping for a call-up to come from Red Bull for next season, but it seems unlikely as Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo reportedly have unbreakable contracts. Both men have ben linked to Ferrari, which would open up a door for the Spaniard.

"It's still a long season ahead and these rumours will always come," Sainz said in Austria. "My target number one is to be with Red Bull next year and start fighting for podiums, wins or whatever they are fighting for next year.

"I'm going to keep pushing for this. If that doesn't happen a fourth year in Toro Rosso is unlikely and I'm not going to close the door to any opportunity. I'm definitely ready to take a step forward in my career. I'm not closing any doors."

Sainz's name has also been linked to Renault to partner Nico Hulkenberg next season, while McLaren has also publicly declared its interest in the 22-year-old. Despite all the rumours, Sainz is keeping his head down and attempting to do the best job for Toro Rosso.

"It's still very early, I don't know what is going to happen next year," he said. "It's silly season. It's good fun but for me, the good fun is on track to keep performing as I am up until now. I have a job, which is to drive a car and do it as fast as possible.

"I have got to the point now where I feel confident with the team, with the car and I think the season is going positively until now. Every time we have finished, we've been in the points. We have 11 more points than at this point last season - this is all positive, but we just need to keep working."

Fergal Walsh

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804

Well Dietrich Mateschitz owns both teams, so he can do what he likes!

1
Jul 6 2017 - 21:15

F1 News Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo Daniil Kvyat McLaren Renault Ferrari

Replies (6)

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Can someone help me understand why Toro Rosso is held back by Red Bull to keep it as a #2 team (which by the way I didn't think was allowed to have 2 teams)?

Toro Rosso has proven itself more than capable in the past to perform, even with inferior machinery and a fraction of the Red Bull budget. In fact Toro Rosso won a race before Red Bull ever did.

It's really a waste right now to keep Sainz at Toro Rosso, and stupid for Horner and Helmut Marko to insist they won't let him go.
- + 0
- Jul 6 2017 - 18:44
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Well Dietrich Mateschitz owns both teams, so he can do what he likes!
  + 1
  
  Jul 6 2017 - 21:15
- NEXT SPARE VAMP
  
  Posts: 1,874
  Sainz is very much overrated. Never finished higher than 6th.
  + 0
  
  Jul 6 2017 - 22:12
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  He's never had a car good enough to finish higher than 6th..
  + 1
  
  Jul 6 2017 - 22:46
- Patentprutser
  
  Posts: 392
  Why did Verstappen finish fourth two times?
  + 1
  
  Jul 7 2017 - 07:44
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Hungary and US in 15', a bit of luck got him there.. they were crazy races
  + 1
  
  Jul 7 2017 - 09:34