As part of the complex series of deals announced today at the Singapore Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz Jr will join Renault on loan for the 2018 season. Renault agreed to end their engine supply contract with Toro Rosso and switch to the McLaren team for 2018. As part of the deal, Renault wanted the talented young Sainz who is under contract with Red Bull to drive for their works team in 2018. Red Bull has agreed to send the 23-year old Spaniard on loan to Renault for one year.
Carlos Sainz to join Renault on loan in 2018
Sainz has caught the eye of the top teams with his raw speed and talent since he started in F1 in 2015. The Red Bull protege started with Max Verstappen in the junior Red Bull team that year and was in a dogfight with the Dutchman for the whole season. Verstappen was promoted to the senior Red Bull team in early 2016 to drive alongside Daniel Ricciardo.
With no openings in the senior team, Sainz has spoken about the lack of opportunities within the Red Bull family for him. The Spaniard was disciplined for speaking out of turn by his bosses. With Renault wanting Sainz to partner the experienced Nico Hulkenberg for their works team, it gave all parties a way out.
Cyril Abiteboul, Renault’s Managing Director commented on this new deal: “Carlos Sainz is a very promising driver who has been on our radar for some time, especially after his successes in Renault junior formulae. It is positive news for us to be able to confirm Carlos for 2018.
“This choice is well aligned with our mid-term strategic plans. We feel that Nico and Carlos will complement each other on and off track and the combination should help us push forwards on the grid.
“I would like to thank Helmut Marko for loaning Carlos to us for this period. We must thank Jolyon [Palmer] for his ongoing hard work with the team and his efforts over the past two seasons. He is a dedicated driver and we wish him the best in the next steps of his career.”
Carlos Sainz Jr added:”To be a Formula 1 driver for a manufacturer team is an honour and I hope to reward Renault’s faith in me with my very best performances on track. The trajectory of Renault Sport Formula 1 Team is exciting and I’m proud to join at such an important time in their history.”
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s Motorsport Advisor said: “We are happy to have reached an agreement for Carlos to drive for Renault Sport Formula 1 Team in 2018. He is a tremendous talent and he will benefit from working with a manufacturer team alongside a highly experienced driver.
“This will give Carlos a different challenge and we will be keenly watching his progress there as he remains part of the Red Bull family. This is very good development for both Carlos and Renault Sport Formula 1 Team and will also allow us to bring a new talent into Formula 1.”
Sainz won the Formula Renault 3.5 World Series in 2014 and has had 53 starts in F1 so far. This is the next step in the career of this very promising young driver and his progress will be watched with great interest in the F1 paddock.
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