Source: Renault F1 Media

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Sainz hoping for a better car at McLaren

Sainz hoping for a "better car" at McLaren

21-09-2018 18:53
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Bobby Vincent

Carlos Sainz Jr. will partner Lando Norris for McLaren next season and the Spaniard is optimistic that his new engineers will produce a better car for him to drive in following this season's poor MCL33.

Sainz will replace his compatriot, retiring Fernando Alonso and he calls it a day with the sport.

The MCL33 has let down the side from Woking at various different points of the season so far and even CEO Zak Brown admitted that the vehicle was "poor".

"I am optimistic by nature and this makes me think positively about what I expect in the future, but I am still convinced that McLaren have learned so much in this difficult season," the current Renault driver told Marca.

McLaren sit in sixth place in the current Constructors' Standings, but are 18 points adrift of fifth placed Haas and have failed to compete for yet another season.

Some people believe Esteban Ocon perhaps should have been considered for the McLaren seat instead of Sainz but he completely disregards that comment.

"I think I'm privileged, but I think I deserved my place rather than winning this lottery," Sainz added. "Obviously also deserves Ocon and Vandoorne, but ours is a competitive sport in which one does not depend on oneself.

"My situation was a bit different from theirs: Renault chose Ricciardo both because he launched a strong message of trust towards the team, marrying a risky but ambitious project, but also because my destiny was inextricably linked to the decisions of the Red Bull and Renault was no longer willing to wait."