Official: Sainz signs with McLaren for 2019!
The English team announced the signing of the 23-year-old Spanish driver, who will have the daunting task of succeeding Fernando Alonso.
The domino effect initiated by Daniel Ricciardo continues. This time, it’s McLaren’s turn to make a move, with the signing of Carlos Sainz from Renault. The Madrid-native has signed a multi-season contract with the Woking-based firm, without revealing the exact duration.
Member of the Red Bull program, Carlos Sainz thus cuts the umbilical cord and ends his adventure with the Winged Bull. The Austrian team had an option on the driver until September, before he became a free agent. Negotiations with the four-time world champion team therefore did not succeed.
Executive Director of McLaren Racing, Zak Brown, was obviously delighted with the arrival of the Spaniard. Here is his reaction: « we are thrilled that Carlos is joining us as a team driver. We have been following him for some time and believe he is one of the best drivers of the new generation. Carlos will bring us his youth and experience. »
Carlos Sainz to race for McLaren from 2019. ⬇️ https://t.co/iVMphvWiay
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) 16 août /f1/actualite/22893-fernando-alonso-quittera-la-f1-a-la-fin-de-la-saison.html
And for good reason, Carlos Sainz is already competing in his fourth season in the top discipline, after two and a half seasons with Toro Rosso and a loan move to Renault in October 2017, during the United States Grand Prix.
Eleventh in the drivers’ championship standings with 30 points, Carlos Sainz will succeed Fernando Alonso, a rumor that had been gaining traction since the beginning of the week in the F1 world. An admirer of the double world champion, the younger of the two is certainly fulfilling a childhood dream: stepping into the seat of the second, who will not participate in the 2019 season, without formally specifying his official departure from the discipline.
Carlos Sainz himself reacted to the announcement of his new team: « I am happy to confirm that I will be a McLaren driver for the 2019 season. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a while, and I am very eager to start this new chapter of my career. »
His first words naturally go towards Fernando Alonso. I’ve been a McLaren fan since my childhood. It’s a great name in our sport, with an incredible legacy and drivers among the heroes of Formula 1. Fernando is, of course, one of them, so it’s really special to take his place as a representative of the new generation of Spanish drivers behind the wheel of a McLaren!
The English team, however, has not made any announcement regarding the driver who will support Sainz in 2019. Will Vandoorne be retained? Will Norris be thrown into the deep end? Will Ocon or another driver create a surprise? One thing is certain: this announcement leaves the door wide open for Pierre Gasly to take the vacant seat left by Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull. Stay tuned for the next episode!
