Sainz: No reason for me to look anywhere but McLaren

  • Published on 19 Dec 2019 12:41
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz insists he is not interested in looking at a future at any other team but McLaren

Sainz joined the Woking squad for the 2019 season, in what was his most successful year in Formula 1, ending the drivers' championship in sixth place.

It was an overall successful campaign for McLaren, who ended the 2018 campaign as one of the slowest teams on the grid, competing towards the back of the grid.

The team was the clear fourth fastest team in 2019 as it eyes a return to winning ways: "There are no exact objectives for 2020 but it is very important that the progression does not stop and we continue to close up with the teams ahead," Sainz said.

"2020 is a year to follow the current trend, then for 2021 and 2022 we do not know what will happen. My concern going into the holidays is zero.

"The beginning of the season will be similar to the end of 2019, with three dominant teams, but hopefully we will be the first to manage to reduce that one-second gap to those teams."

'Too early to think about 2021'

In 2021, McLaren will return to Mercedes power, having switched to Honda in 2015 before striking a deal with Renault in 2018.

The reformed engine partnership comes when F1 will introduce a number of new technical and sporting regulations, aimed at revamping the sport and giving more teams a chance at podiums and race wins.

Sainz admits it's too early to talk about 2021, but affirms that he is only interested in continuing with McLaren. 

"It's too early to talk about 2021," Sainz acknowledges. "But I do not hide that I am very happy with this project and another step forward is going to motivate me even more.

"At this time there is no reason to look anywhere else because I am very happy at McLaren. 2021 is a great opportunity for everyone - for F1, the teams, the drivers - to make a start from scratch. Hopefully it will be more competitive and even more fun."

Sainz has more stability at McLaren

Sainz believes that he has shone at McLaren in 2019 because he has more stability in his career compared to when he was part of the Red Bull programme. 

"My first three years at Red Bull were for one year at a time, and although they were very good, I didn't have the stability and the medium term project that I now have with McLaren," Sainz said.

"It also means not having to fight with my teammate season by season, because every year someone was going to Red Bull and someone staying at Toro Rosso.

"Now I am next to Lando (Norris) and we get along very well and I'm sure that is helping the team to move forward. I really wanted a situation like this because I knew I had potential."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,273
  • Podiums 27
  • Grand Prix 208
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Sep 1 1994 (30)
  • Place of b. Madrid, ES
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.78 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar