Red Bull Racing has hit back at the rumour that Carlos Sainz Jr will be leaving Toro Rosso to join Renault for the Hungarian Grand Prix, as reported by Germany’s Auto Bild. This rumour suggested that Sainz had severed his ties with Red Bull and would replace Jolyon Palmer at the Renault team, thus paving the way for Pierre Gasly to join Toro Rosso.
Red Bull denies Carlos Sainz Jr switch rumours but will consider a release
Amidst these rumours, Sainz Jr responded: “It would be very strange if I had not been told about this if it was happening. The last thing I heard was that I was a Toro Rosso driver,” he told Movistar. Renault Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul, also denied these rumours: “Sainz will definitely not replace Palmer in Hungary.”
On the other hand, Dr Helmut Marko, Christian Horner, and Franz Tost sound open to the idea of releasing Sainz to another team, providing that the team is able to pay the selected buyout fee. “A lot is written in the media, but Carlos will be with Toro Rosso in Hungary,” said Marko. “And I am currently assuming that he will drive with us for the rest of the season.”
“According to my current knowledge, Carlos Sainz is driving for us in Hungary,” said Tost, the Toro Rosso team boss. “Carlos has a contract that expires in two years,” added Horner of Red Bull Racing. “If some other team wants him and wants to make us a serious offer, we are ready to consider it. But I doubt this will happen by Hungary.”
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