Carlos Sainz Jr. will remain at Toro Rosso in 2018 according to Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who was unamused by the Spaniard's assertion that a fourth season with the Faenza-based squad was improbable.
Speaking on Thursday in Austria, Sainz said a fourth season at Toro Rosso was unlikely and he wouldn't turn down other opportunities if they arose.
"As you know my target number one is to be with Red Bull next year," he said. “I’m going to keep pushing for this. If that doesn’t happen, obviously a fourth year at Toro Rosso is unlikely, and I’m not going to close the door to any opportunity.”
No driver has ever comepeted in a fourth season with the Italian outfit, with its drivers either moving to Red Bull or dropping out of the sport.
Horner though is insistent that Sainz will remain at the junior team next year as they have already excercised an option to lock him in, and even hinted at a fifth season.
"We've exercised his option, so he's under contract," Horner told Sky Sports F1. "We have an option on him for next year and the year after, so he'll be in a Toro Rosso again next year."
When asked about Sainz's comments, Horner added: "I don't know where he thinks he'll be then! Contracts are clear.
"You have to remember that he only got an opportunity in F1 because of Red Bull investing in him in the junior years, and it's a little disingenuous to be making comments like that when a lot of investment goes into these guys to give them the opportunity.
"Without Red Bull he wouldn't be sitting in an F1 car."
Horner also rubbished claims Toro Rosso could loan Sainz to engine supplier Renault.
"I can't imagine that scenario," he said. "Toro Rosso are ahead of Renault at this point in time, and doing a good job, and it wouldn't make sense to loan him out."
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