Sainz hopeful of 2019 season with McLaren after positive winter testing

Carlos Sainz believes that McLaren is on the right foot ahead of the 2019 season in the wake of claims made by Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko.

Red Bull's move to Honda power after McLaren's strenuous rekindled relationship with the Japanese manufacturer as their power unit provider appears to have gotten off to a much better start.

Although both teams have essentially swapped power units, the Red Bull motorsport advisor believes that the McLaren Renault will be fighting with Williams over last position this season.

The Spaniard however sees things differently, claiming that the Woking-based outfit is in a great place to start the new season following a relatively issue-free winter testing.

“I respect his predictions, but I know where we are, which is pretty much where we were last year," Sainz said at a sponsor event earlier in the week.

“All I can say is that we did more laps than in any other year, to say whether we’ll be sixth or ninth is impossible. But we are going to Australia better prepared than in previous years.”

Sainz also weighed in on the ever-evolving battle for best of the rest in the midfield, adding that he saw Haas as serious contenders once again but others could play more of a role in 2019.

“Last year I felt that Haas was ahead of the midfield, and they could surprise. But the others are close, regardless of the simulations, and are hiding tenths.”