Sainz won't leave Toro Rosso in 2018 - Horner
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner is adamant that Carlos Sainz will be at sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso next year, despite the Spaniard claiming he's unlikely to remain with the outfit.
Sainz made it clear on Thursday that his priority is to find a way into Red Bull Racing, before adding: "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."
However, Horner insisted a day later that Sainz will be staying put in 2018.
Like other Toro Rosso drivers in the past, Sainz's contract is actually with Red Bull Racing, and he is in effect loaned out to the Italian team.
"We've exercised his option as well, so he's under contract," Horner told Sky F1. "We have an option on him for next year and the year after, so he'll be in a Toro Rosso again next year."
Asked about Sainz's suggestion that he will move on, Horner said: "I don't know where he thinks he'll be then! Contracts are clear.
"You have to remember that he only got an opportunity in F1 because of Red Bull investing in him in the junior years, and it's a little disingenuous to be making comments like that when a lot of investment goes into these guys to give them the opportunity.
"Without Red Bull he wouldn't be sitting in an F1 car."
Horner then moved to deny suggestions that Sainz could be placed at Renault in 2018: "I can't imagine that scenario.
"Toro Rosso are ahead of Renault at this point in time, and doing a good job, and it wouldn't make sense to loan him out."
Baku win changes nothing for 2018
Horner also insisted that Daniel Ricciardo's Baku win has not had any impact of the future of either the Australian or teammate Max Verstappen.
It's been suggested that, had RBR not logged a victory this year, its drivers would have found it easier to break free of their current contracts, and look elsewhere.
"It doesn't make any difference to the contracts," Horner said.
"We're very clear on what our drivers and who our drivers are for next year, which are the same numbers that are on the car this year.
"So there's nothing really to report on that. The contracts are clear, so both drivers are under contract for next year, 100 percent."
Share Or Save This Story
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
How Carlos Sainz bounced back from the most difficult moment of his F1 career
Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz reveal F1 boys' trip plans
Sainz interview: “I always believed in McLaren… but then Ferrari called”
Was Baku really Max Verstappen's best chance to win in F1 2026?
How Isack Hadjar injured his wrist during F1 2026 summer break
Baku late-race chaos almost costs George Russell victory over Max Verstappen
Yamaha hopes MotoGP race winner Ai Ogura can revive Japan’s “lost” motorcycle passion
Guenther Steiner jokes Christian Horner Ferrari talk is good book publicity
Joey Logano down but not out of NASCAR Chase after Kansas flat tire
Kimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi Schiff
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments