Carlos Sainz Jr. says he has been able to learn from Nico Hülkenberg’s greater experience in Formula 1, and expects to form a competitive partnership with the German at Renault in 2018.
Sainz Jr. was paired with fellow rookie Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso in 2015, before linking up with Daniil Kvyat from mid-2016, the Russian having debuted one year earlier.
Conversely, Hülkenberg has started 135 Grands Prix for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault, a disparity of experience which Sainz Jr. feels is beneficial for his own development.
“[It’s] interesting, especially already I’ve felt differences,” said Sainz Jr., referring to his four-race 2017 spell with Renault.
“I have seen how Nico works, and everything is going to help for sure.
“To be up against a guy that has been in Formula 1 for seven or eight years, and has really settled nicely into a team like Nico has over the last year, there’s only things to learn and look out for.
“I’m sure we can push each other hard and that’s only going to bring the team forward as I think also Nico welcomes the challenge of having me next to him.
“Already in feedback we have a lot of similarities and that’s going to help everyone.”
Sainz Jr.’s move to Renault brought down the curtain on a near three-year spell with Toro Rosso, which brought 26 points finishes from 56 events, peaking with fourth in Singapore this year.
When asked what he would miss about Toro Rosso, Sainz Jr. said: “There’s always the human side, I’ve got a lot of PR people, engineers that I had, that I build up a strong relationship with.
“Obviously you miss those people but they are next door [in the paddock] and I can obviously see them!”
