Sainz hits back at claims McLaren copying Red Bull chassis

Carlos Sainz has hit back at suggestions of McLaren copying Red Bulls chassis parts to improve the use of the Renault Engine for 2019.

McLaren started off 2018 with a strong fifth placed finish in the Australian Grand Prix by Fernando Alonso. But struggled throughout the rest of the year for performances of the same level.

This was their first year with Renault as engine suppliers after parting ways with Honda at the end of 2017 because of a frustrating few years with them. Red Bull are making the opposite switch for next season after using Renault engines for a very long time, opting for Honda after testing out the engine in their junior team, Toro Rosso, this year.

There had been suggestions that McLaren may copy parts of the Red Bull chassis to help improve their own chassis for the next season. But Sainz has said there are no truths in these claims.

“I think it’s very straightforward to say that the team is copying a chassis," (foxsports.com).

“I’m sure there are ideas from all the teams that McLaren has looked at, but that happens in Formula One and in all the categories that I have raced in.”

Sainz raced for Renault last season, being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, and denied that the factory team would be holding back the best engine’s for themselves.

“The engine is the same, and when I tested that car I could prove that it is the same as is in the Renault. So that doesn’t bother me.”

“I am convinced that Renault gives the same weapons to McLaren that they give for their own cars. I’m not worried for next year that we will not have good equipment.”