Carlos Sainz Jr. says he is enjoying the enhanced responsibility he feels at McLaren this year, and has been buoyed by the team’s progress.
Sainz Jr. joined McLaren on a multi-year deal for 2019 and is currently the lead midfielder in the championship standings, with the team having shown signs of improvement.
“My main target is to keep performing at the level I’m performing at the moment, and to keep giving McLaren a leadership, a direction with the car development,” said Sainz Jr.
“I’m enjoying it a lot, it’s such a nice situation to see a whole team moving forward, a whole team listening to your feedback, and at the next race, something corrects that [any problems].
“I’m enjoying it a lot and that’s definitely my plan.”
Sainz Jr. failed to score through the opening three grands prix but says avoiding getting downbeat over the situation was crucial for his eventual turnaround.
“I didn’t know when this was going to finish,” he said of his misfortune.
“After the first three races it’s gone a lot smoother, even in Canada, we had an issue and nearly finished in the points.
“It was just patience, hard work, it always ends up paying off.
“Living in the UK is making a big difference for me, keeps me attached to the team, I go the factory once or twice a week, chatting with engineers, setting pictures of the development, and it’s a part I’m enjoying a lot.
“I’m feeling more professional about it as I’m learning and moving forward.”
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