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Carlos Sainz lost chance to drive for Red Bull in 2017

Carlos Sainz lost chance to drive for Red Bull in 2017

18-03-2019 08:13
7

Carlos Sainz says he could have been racing for Red Bull right now had he not "lost his ticket" in 2017. The Spanish driver, who now drives for McLaren, believes his decision to leave Torro Rosso remains the correct call despite Daniel Ricciardo's shock move to Renault.

"It could have gone either way, me or Gasly," Sainz told AS newspaper in Melbourne.

"But I know that when I left Toro Rosso to go to Renault I really lost my ticket to go to Red Bull. And I did it consciously and I still believe that was a good decision for my future."

Sainz now finds himself driving for McLaren. His opening race in Australia didn't go as planned when his engine set on fire and forced him to retire. Meanwhile, his team-mate Lando Norris scored points in his opening race.

But he's confident he has found himself a good seat as he claims there's nowhere else better outside the big three.

"Right now, if you're not in Red Bull, Ferrari or Mercedes, I think the best place to be is still McLaren. I prefer to be here with a two-year contract and I would not change my seat for anything," said Sainz.