McLaren boss Andreas Seidl has stressed the squad will not change the way it works with Carlos Sainz Jr. in Formula 1 this year in spite of his impending departure.
Sainz Jr. will leave McLaren at the end of 2020 in order to join Ferrari in place of four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
Sainz Jr. finished as the standout midfield driver in 2019, ahead of part-season Red Bull duo Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon, and also took his maiden podium in the championship.
McLaren, meanwhile, finished the campaign in fourth position – comfortably clear of nearest rival Renault – to record its highest classification since 2012.
“Knowing Carlos he is a professional and the relationship we have in being a professional team I don’t see any issue there,” said Seidl.
“I expect we will all work towards the same goal which is again maximising the results for the driver and the team.
“In terms of how we will work with him together to be honest I don’t see also there a lot of change, in the end the best way in order to achieve results is to have an open and transparent relationship.
“Carlos is known to be very good in giving input in terms of development towards the car so we don’t plan to change anything on this.”
Sainz Jr. will be replaced at McLaren by current Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo, who has signed a multi-year deal to partner incumbent Lando Norris.
On explaining why McLaren quickly reacted to Sainz Jr.’s departure, Seidl said: “We never wanted to be on the backfoot [in a game of] musical chairs for this season.
“That’s why after knowing that Carlos wanted to explore the opportunity to go to another team we were simply proactive in the communication with Daniel, kind of a follow up of what Zak [Brown] had with him two years ago, and had to make decisions, we’re very happy with the outcome.
“Getting Daniel on board, a proven race winner, is a reference we were missing with the line-up we have.”
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