Carlos Sainz Jr. says Lewis Hamilton “gave me confidence” that McLaren is the right place for him to be for his own Formula 1 prospects.
Sainz Jr. rose to Formula 1 with Red Bull backing and spent almost three years with Toro Rosso before switching on loan to Renault late in 2017.
Sainz Jr.’s prospects of a long-term future at Renault were always slim and it was announced in early August that he would be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo for 2019.
Sainz Jr. quickly secured his place on next season’s grid after signing a two-year deal to replace retiring compatriot Fernando Alonso at McLaren.
McLaren is in the midst of one of its worst spells in Formula 1, having slumped down the competitive order in recent years, and has struggled through most of 2018.
Hamilton spent the first six seasons of his career competing for McLaren – his 2008 Drivers’ crown is the team’s last title success – and Sainz Jr. says conversations with the Briton boosted his confidence over his impending move.
“I speak with Lewis, actually more than I thought, and more than first expected,” said Sainz Jr.
“I have always had a good relationship with him. I sit with him in briefings quite a lot and we chat a bit about many things.
“He asked me about McLaren the other day, so you can see that he is also interested even if he doesn’t look like (it) he also knows what is going on in the paddock.
“We were talking a bit about Woking and how spectacular it is and all that. And he also believes McLaren cannot get any worse than it is now.
“He also agrees that with all the seats taken at the top like Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, that McLaren is probably a very good place to go to.
“So in that sense he gave me confidence. He really likes McLaren. He has a lot of respect for the people there, and he gave me a good feeling about it.”
Sainz Jr. will be partnered by rookie Lando Norris at McLaren next year.
