Carlos Sainz jr is closing in on a Toro Rosso drive for 2015.
Until mere days ago, the Spanish rookie - as the apparent cream of Red Bull's junior programme - remained disappointed to have missed out on departing Jean-Eric Vergne's place for next season.
Red Bull had swept in to sign the teen sensation Max Verstappen instead, despite 20-year-old Sainz's superior experience and success this year in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.
But after Sebastian Vettel's shock exit at the energy drink company's main F1 team, Red Bull has called up confirmed 2015 Toro Rosso racer Daniil Kvyat to drive alongside Daniel Ricciardo next year.
It opens up a new vacancy at Toro Rosso, and Sainz - whose father and namesake is the world rally legend - is the obvious favourite.
Christian Horner admitted it on Saturday, and now Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has told El Mundo Deportivo: "99 per cent, Carlos Sainz will be in F1 next year."
It is yet another blow to Frenchman Vergne, who ran Ricciardo close as the now Red Bull number 1 driver's Toro Rosso teammate in 2013.
And with Kvyat now moving up to the main team as well, Vergne actually outqualified the highly rated Russian at Suzuka.
Vergne is obviously frustrated to realise he no longer figures in Red Bull's future plans.
"It's not a question you should ask me," he said when asked about Saturday's events in Japan.
Asked if the Toro Rosso vacancy is good news for him, Vergne added: "I have absolutely no idea, I have no expectation right now.
"I don't have anything to say about the situation at the moment. I need a little bit of time to realise it and as well to understand the decision.
"Maybe I will do the Tour de France next year," he shrugged.
Franz Tost: "Sainz Junior 99 percent sure of Toro Rosso seat"
- Published on 05 Oct 2014 15:31
-
0
- By: Danny Sosef
.
Trending news
-
Why McLaren insists Lambiase is not being groomed as Stella's successorMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has dismissed speculation that Gianpiero Lambiase is being groomed to succeed hi...
29 May 2026 15:33 -
Hadjar sees only positives for Red Bull ahead of MonacoIsack Hadjar believes Red Bull Racing has finally identified the performance window it needs to challenge for victori...
29 May 2026 17:38 -
Why Fittipaldi believes Russell has already given up on 2026George Russell has drawn sharp criticism from former Formula 1 driver Christian Fittipaldi after appearing to concede...
29 May 2026 16:36 -
Why Steiner calls Wolff his 'rockstar' of the Canadian GPGuenther Steiner has singled out Toto Wolff for praise after the Mercedes team principal allowed Kimi Antonelli and G...
29 May 2026 14:31 -
Why Martin Brundle defended Russell's angry headrest throwMartin Brundle has defended George Russell following the Mercedes driver's angry reaction to his retirement at th...
29 May 2026 13:29
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Driver profile
- Team Red Bull Racing
- Points 3,488
- Podiums 128
- Grand Prix 238
- Country NL
- Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
- Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
- Weight 70 kg
- Length 1.8 m
- 831,423 comments on Red Bull Racing
982 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
Team profile
- Team name Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 236,937 comments on Renault
- 26 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Renault
Replies (0)
Login to reply