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Carlos Sainz will join McLaren for the 2019 season, the team has confirmed. The Woking-based squad has hired Sainz as Fernando Alonso's replacement, who announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving the sport at the end of the season.
Sainz has been linked to a McLaren drive for several weeks, with the rumours gathering pace following Renault's announcement that Daniel Ricciardo would take his seat at the French outfit next year.
“I’m delighted to finally be able to confirm that I’ll be a McLaren driver from the 2019 season," he saind. "It’s something I’ve been looking at for a while and I’m very excited about this next chapter in my career. I’ve been a McLaren fan for as long as I can remember. 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 made his Formula 1 debut in 2015, partnering Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso. After Verstappen got the promotion to Red Bull after the start of the 2016 season, Sainz stayed at Toro Rosso for another two years before departing the team.
This year, he is driving for Renault while being loaned out by Red Bull. With a drive available at the energy drink team for next season, Sainz's move to McLaren all but confirms Pierre Gasly's switch to the Milton Keynes squad.
It is not yet known who will partner Sainz at McLaren, however it is expected that it will be either its current driver Stoffel Vandoorne or its reserve driver, Lando Norris. Team CEO Zak Brown says that Sainz is a great addition to the squad, admitting it has been lining him up for some time.
“We’re incredibly excited to have Carlos join us as a McLaren driver," the American said. "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.
“Carlos brings with him 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.
“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.”
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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xoya
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McLaren will give Norris to RedBull/ToroRosso in exchange for James Key. I guess they will keep Vandoorne as an experienced driver, since he has been with them for some time now.