Zak Brown admits considering Carlos Sainz for 2019

The McLaren CEO Zak Brown has admitted his interests in Carlos Sainz should he be a free agent. Carlos Sainz will leave Renault next year after his team confirmed their driver line-up won't include him in 2019.

The Spaniard is currently employed by Red Bull but is on a 'loan type' at Renault. Red Bull have the option of moving him into the Red Bull garage, but if this falls through, he's free to grab.

Brown spoke highly of Carlos Sainz prior to the announcement of Ricciardo's move.

"We think Carlos is an excellent race car driver," Brown told Motorsport in Hungary last weekend.

"Of course Carlos is potentially on the market, we don't know his exact situation at Renault and Red Bull, but he's certainly someone that as you go down the shortlist of drivers you'd consider putting in a race car."

The Woking-based team are yet to confirm their driver line-up next season. Fernando Alonso is expected to leave the team while Stoffel Vandoorne's position looks to be in danger.

Brown goes on to consider his options but confirms we're a long way from finding out the answers.

"If he [Carlos] was free, and if we had a seat, he would certainly be high up on the consideration set," added Brown.

"We will make our driver decision ultimately when we're ready. I anticipate that being a long time after the summer break."

And we're still 3 weeks from the end of the summer break!