Alonso’s involvement can only help McLaren – Sainz Jr.

Carlos Sainz Jr. says he has no concern in giving up potential track time during in-season testing to Fernando Alonso, believing the elder Spaniard’s feedback can only assist McLaren’s progress.

Sainz Jr. has joined McLaren for 2019, partnering rookie Lando Norris, having moved across from Renault in the wake of Alonso stepping back from a race seat.

Alonso, though, will retain a connection to McLaren and last week the team confirmed that he will test during 2019 in order to assist with the development of the MCL34 and the 2020 car, the MCL35.

It means Alonso is likely to run during one of the in-season tests, which this year take place after respective Grands Prix in Bahrain and Spain.

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“I think I have enough experience to don’t do an in-season test and let it to Fernando,” he said.

“I’m not so worried about that.

“I think it’s a good thing to have Fernando on track on the car in a test just to have a good baseline and to compare it to last year.

“I’m not going to be in the hotel biting my nails over not being on track one day.”

Sainz Jr. added that he and Alonso had discussed the various cars during the two-time World Champion’s visit to testing last week.

“We’ve been watching the cars out on track, we’ve been sharing some thoughts, trying to compare a bit the balance I had this year to the balance he had last year and starting to comment a bit on the car,” he said.

“I guess until he tries this year’s car it’s going to be difficult for me to actually try and build a conclusion on where we are and where we want to be.

“I’ve only done 100 laps in last year’s car and it’s not enough mileage to compare to see how much better or worse is this year’s car.

“I don’t know how many laps he did last year, 5 or 6,000, I don’t know, that will be easier to compare.”