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Cyril Abiteboul has offered his praise to Carlos Sainz, who will be leaving Renault at the end of the season. On Thursday, McLaren announced that Sainz would be joining the team for the 2019 season, replacing Fernando Alonso who will leave the series.
Sainz joined Renault from Toro Rosso towards the end of the 2017 season, stepping in for Jolyon Palmer. This year, he has recorded a best result of fifth place, which came at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Sainz is racing for Renault while under contract from Red Bull, however he will now be freed from all Red Bull ties following his move to McLaren. It is not yet known who the Spaniard will partner at the team, but it is believed it will be either Stoffel Vandoorne or Lando Norris.
And Renault chief Abiteboul has wished Sainz the best for his future, stating that he was a "great contributor" to the resurging team, who is aiming to be fighting at the front in a couple of years.
"Despite an unusual situation, through his relentless work and natural talent, Carlos has been a great contributor to the progress made by the team since joining us last year," he said. "I wish him the best for 2019 onwards with his now-confirmed move to McLaren; for now we all look forward to the second part of the season together."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I'm very glad, it would have been a travesty if Carlos Sainz ended without a proper drive. I was quite shocked at first when Renault had seemingly ousted him. I never thought that Red Bull would give him a chance next to Max. So I really thought he was left without a drive.
michielhimself
Posts: 132
He's had a McLaren offer in his pocket for at least 2 weeks, that much is clear with the benefit of hindsight. The posturing for the press in La Marca, the BS spin story how it was Verstappens non-existent veto blocking him from the RBR seat, the fact they couldn't or didn't want to announce anything until Alonso had his moment in order not to ruffle Vandoorne's feathers ....
michielhimself
Posts: 132
... plus the fact that they didn't even wait for Red Bull to anounce who'd get the drive next to car #33 next year, which could have still gone to Sainz, makes it clear the deal with McLaren and the Sainzes was already done.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
You got to wonder why Renault and Redbull do not want him anymore. I don't think he's really improved over the last couple of years. I didn't think Redbull would have him because of this stagnation in progression. He did not really stack up against Hulk. McLaren is an ok team for him.
michielhimself
Posts: 132
I think Renault wanted Sainz, they just wanted Ricciardo much, much more. Hülkenberg was still under contract for a year, so that meant 1 seat to play with - the one that went to the Australian. Renault's reasoning must've been "Ricciardo is out of a contract, we have a split with them as an engine supplier, we LITERALLY have no negotiations with Red Bull any more. Why jump back into all that by trying to negotiate for Sainz if we can get someone more experienced and likely better?"
As for Red Bull not wanting him anymore, it's been VERY quiet from that direction after the McLaren drive for Carlos Sainz jr. was announced, unlike when Ricciardo announced his departure. It makes me wonder if Sainz actually was a free agent to make that deal with McLaren already and if not, if Red Bull are now trying to decide if they want to make a contract case out of it, or just let it slide ....
No "thanks for the career" from Carlos jr. back into the direction of Red Bull yet, no "we're sad to see you go, good luck" from Red Bull to Sainz ... we've not seen the last of that yet.
Silly season is a beauty this year!