Sainz to race for McLaren in 2019

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Carlos Sainz Jr. will join McLaren next season as a replacement for Fernando Alonso.

The Woking-based team confirmed Sainz as one of its 2019 drivers on a multi-year deal.

“We’re incredibly excited to have Carlos join us as a McLaren driver,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

“We’ve been assessing him for some time now and rate him very highly among the next generation of young talent emerging through the ranks in Formula 1.”

The main complication McLaren faced with Sainz was his contractual situation with Red Bull.

Sainz is on loan from Red Bull at Renault this season but his long-time backer retained an option to recall him to the senior team.

With Ricciardo making the shock decision to quit Red Bull Racing for Renault, taking Sainz’s drive, McLaren had to wait until Red Bull decided whether to promote Sainz or Pierre Gasly.

This confirmation that Sainz will race for the Woking squad means Red Bull Racing has relinquished its option early and indicates it has committed to Toro Rosso driver Pierre Gasly partnering Max Verstappen next season.

Sainz said: “I’m delighted to finally be able to confirm that I’ll be a McLaren driver from the 2019 season.

“It’s something I’ve been looking at for a while and I’m very excited about this next chapter in my career.”

Reserve driver Lando Norris, Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon and current McLaren racer Stoffel Vandoorne are all linked to the second seat.

The team says it will announce its second driver “in due course”.

Congratulations to Carlos Sainz Jr. in getting the McLaren drive. Following his hero’s footsteps by taking the role with a top Formula 1 team as Fernando Alonso parts way from the sport come the end of the year.

It’s going to be fascinating to see if Stoffel Vandoorne came keep his seat in 2019. If not, rising Formula 2 star Lando Norris will get the dream opportunity to take part in Formula 1 with McLaren.

Best of luck to Sainz in his new squad come 2019.

5 thoughts to “Sainz to race for McLaren in 2019”

  3. Carlos Sainz says replacing his idol Fernando Alonso at the McLaren Formula 1 team next season makes the move “particularly special”.

    Sainz has been confirmed at McLaren on a multi-year deal after his long-time backer Red Bull relinquished an option to promote the Spaniard to its senior team in place of Daniel Ricciardo.

    Two-time world champion Alonso is leaving F1 at the end of the season and McLaren boss Zak Brown called it “fitting” that Sainz will be his successor.

    Sainz, who is racing for Renault this season, said it made a dream move to McLaren even better.

    “I’ve been a McLaren fan for as long as I can remember,” said Sainz.

    “It’s a great name in the sport with an incredible heritage, and the list of drivers that have raced for McLaren over the years are among the heroes of Formula 1.

    “Fernando is of course one of them, so it’s particularly special that I’ll be taking his seat as part of the next generation of Spanish racing drivers behind the wheel of a McLaren.

    “Finally, I’d like to thank everyone at McLaren for giving me this opportunity to fulfil a childhood dream.

    “The team has a long-term plan for the future and I’m very much looking forward to playing a key role in its journey back to success.”

    Sainz joins McLaren with a career-best result of fourth from his 72 grand prix starts across four seasons with Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso and Renault.

    Brown said he has “the perfect blend of youth and experience”.

    “Although he’s just 23, he’ll be starting his fifth season in the sport with us and will bring with him a huge amount of racing experience, both in Formula 1 and with our partner Renault,” said Brown.

    “It’s no secret that Carlos is a huge admirer of Fernando’s, and it’s fitting that he will be stepping into his seat as a Spaniard with a legendary name in motorsport.

    “We think he’ll be a great fit for McLaren and we’re really excited to have him join us from next season and beyond.”

    Reserve driver Lando Norris, Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon and current McLaren racer Stoffel Vandoorne are all linked to the second McLaren seat.

    McLaren said it will announce its completed line-up “in due course”.

    Source: Motorsport.com

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  4. Pingback: Gasly to drive for Red Bull in 2019 – Walking Leaf
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