Carlos Sainz Jr. says Red Bull’s impending switch to Honda power changes nothing with regards to his future in Formula 1.
Sainz Jr. was backed through the junior ranks by Red Bull and stepped up to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2015, though angled for a move elsewhere through last year.
Sainz Jr. was eventually permitted to leave for Renault on a loan basis, as part of the engine manoeuvres involving Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Honda.
Red Bull, though, will switch to Honda power next year, joining sister team Toro Rosso, severing its long-term partnership with Renault.
“I don’t think it changes anything on my future,” Sainz Jr. said.
“I think last year, maybe the engine deals affected my future. This year, I don’t think my future depends on engine deals.
When asked on whether Daniel Ricciardo’s choice would have an impact, Sainz Jr. retorted: “I’m pretty sure I will also have an influence on my future. I’m probably more dependent on Red Bull than Ricciardo.
“At the same time, Red Bull is the one who has an option on me to get me this year, and I’m depending a bit on that option.
“I think everything is going to develop from now one after this engine deal, and we’ll see what happens.”
Sainz Jr. also downplayed suggestions that Renault could lose out as a result of losing Red Bull as a benchmark for its engines.
“I think that the team is very conscious of where we are,” he said.
“I think thanks to this year, these last two years next to Red Bull, we probably know where this team is lacking that last step or two to become a top team.
“I think from here onwards we don’t need that figure anymore because we know perfectly where we are and where this team needs to improve.”
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