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Chrisitan Horner is adamant that Carlos Sainz will be racing for Toro Rosso in 2018 after the Spaniard declared it was unlikely he would be sticking around for a fourth season on Thursday.
Sainz joined the Red Bull junior team in 2015 alongside fellow debutant Max Verstappen. When Verstappen got a Red Bull call up in 2016, Sainz was forced to watch his former teammate leap into the senior team where he remains today.
"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."
Christian Horner, who is the team principal of Red Bull, doesn't see Sainz anywhere else but Toro Rosso next season: "I don't know where he thinks he'll be then," responded Horner to Sky Sports F1. "Contracts are clear.
"Carlos Sainz is under contract. We've exercised his option so he's under contract and we have an option on him for next year and the year after. He'll be in a Toro Rosso again next year. You have to remember, he only got a chance in Formula 1 because of Red Bull investing in him in the junior years.
"It's a little bit disingenuous to be making comments like that. A lot of investment goes into these guys to give them the opportunity. Without Red Bull he wouldn't be in a Formula 1 car."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Some good points from Horner but they already said they wouldn't block a deal?
NEXT SPARE VAMP
Posts: 1,874
It's obvious Horner's fed up with Carlos. He will drive a Toro Rosso car in F1 next year or he will not drive a Formula One car at all. Sainz only option is to patiently wait and see if there will be a free seat at RBR in 2019. If not he will even have to drive for a fifth consecutive season at Toro Rosso.
The biggest problem besides Sainz big ego is his possibly even greater impatience. So I predict a clash between Sainz and the Red Bull management early 2018. After which Carlos will find himzelf without a seat.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
... pff am I the only thats not really impressed with Sainz. Don't get me wrong he's a good driver but not on the same level as RIC/VES. And he's trying to displace one of them? He'd better start putting some better results together or @NEXT SPARE VAMP will be correct.
Alonzo
Posts: 66
He needs to be patient and hope a spot opens at RB, it might happen sooner that latter, I do see RIC leaving soon... I also agree he is far from RIC/VES, so he should keep he mouth closed....
boudy
Posts: 1,168
However you got to admire the PR skill behind the rumour. Turns out that this rumour was fed from the spanish press. It takes a bit more than that to outsmart helmut he saw right through it. And came back with the comment that he has no requests from others teams for his (sainz's) services. Boom.