Sainz Jr will be good with Renault in 2018

In accordance with what we announced to you in AUTO n°2131hebdo, Carlos Sainz Jr will evolve alongside Nico Hulkenberg by defending the colors of Renault Sport F1 Team in 2018. The Spaniard has been confirmed by Losange for the next season and will thus leave Toro Rosso, who will move to Honda Power Units next year, after having played three seasons with the Faenza team.

“It is an honor to be an F1 driver for a manufacturer team and I hope to live up to what Renault has placed in me by achieving my best performances on the track, comments Carlos Sainz Jr. The trajectory of Renault Sport F1 Team is exciting and I am proud to join them at such a time in their history. I look forward to working with all the staff at enstone and Viry and to ride with Nico Hülkenberg. »

Carlos Sainz Jr has already played for Renault, notably winning the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC title in 2011 and the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2014.

“I have already worked closely with Renault in F1 and motorsport and I know their motivation and their abilities. This is the start of an exciting new chapter in my career. I would like to thank Red Bull for their trust and support which allowed me to have this opportunity. I would also like to thank the Toro Rosso staff who have been a very professional team and I wish them all the best… Who would have thought that this little guy would be driving for this team eleven years later. What an honor. Thank you Renault”, added the son of the double champion WRC of the same name on Twitter.

Who would have told this little guy that 11 years later he would drive for that team. What a great honor. Thanks @RenaultSportF1 pic.twitter.com/nJbMYd8MnK

- Carlos Sainz (@ Carlossainz55) September 15, 2017

The departure of Carlos Sainz Jr will leave a free seat at Toro Rosso which could finally open the doors to his protégé Pierre Gasly currently competing in Super Formula with Team Mugen and reigning GP2 Series champion.

“We are happy with this agreement, says Red Bull Motorsport consultant Dr Helmut Marko. He has immense talent and will benefit from the experience of working for a manufacturer team alongside a very experienced driver. This will give Carlos a new challenge and we will follow his progress closely as he will remain a member of the Red Bull family. This is a good development for Carlos and Renault Sport F1 Team and will also bring new talent to F1. »

“Carlos Sainz was one of the drivers we had been following for a while, mainly after his success in Renault's junior formula, confirmed Cyril Abiteboul, the director of Renault Sport Racing. We feel that Nico (Hülkenberg) and Carlos complement each other well on and off the track and this combination should help us move forward on the grid. We have to thank Jolyon (Palmer) for his hard work with the team and for his efforts over the last two years. He is a dedicated driver and we wish him the best for the rest of his career. »

Renault Sport F1 Team will continue to evolve next year with a crew that does not have the slightest podium in the discipline.