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

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • He should be, he is generally a solid driver. Assuming Marko would allow him to go, which I doubt he will.

    • + 0
    • Jun 25 2017 - 10:40
    • He is very solid, will score you good points and I think he could possibly be a very good number 2 driver for someone in the future

      • + 0
      • Jun 25 2017 - 11:53

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,453
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 235
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar