Sainz to seek out Alonso for McLaren advice
Carlos Sainz plans to speak to Fernando Alonso this weekend in Belgium to try to get some tips on how best to settle in quickly at McLaren next year.
Sainz has just been signed to replace Alonso at the Woking-based team for 2019, having spent this season racing for Renault.
And although the pair are good friends off track, they have yet to have a conversation about their future because of the summer break.
However, in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Sainz has said that he hoped to be able to lean on Alonso for some tips about life at McLaren when they meet again at Spa-Francorchamps.
“We’ve both been on holidays so because of that there hasn’t been much of a contact,” said Sainz, speaking at the Gamma Racing Day at the TT Circuit Assen.
“But apart from that of course when it comes to Spa I will talk with him and will start having conversations with him about next year and how to approach the year.
"And for sure he will let me know the people there and all that, he will give me good contacts.”
Despite McLaren enduring a frustrating season that has not lived up to expectations, Sainz is excited about the challenge that lies ahead in helping try to lift the team up the grid.
But he thinks it far too early to make any predictions about 2019, as McLaren works on a restructuring to try to improve its fortunes.
Asked about he thinks is possible next year, he said: “I don’t know. I don’t know, because I haven’t been in touch with the factory yet.
“I haven’t been in touch with the people there. I just have been in touch with the management. Obviously the management is positive and I am very positive about the project.
“But until I get inside the project and start talking with the engineers, and anything like that, I won’t be able to judge that.”
Previous article
Class B split and talk "damaging F1 a lot"
Next article
The support series tech that could save F1
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Carlos Sainz Jr. , Fernando Alonso |
| Teams | McLaren |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
The Silver Arrows Story: Mercedes W09
Scuderia Ferrari Filming Day Backstage Footage
Back to Work | Valtteri Bottas' 2021 Seat Fit
F1 Explained | Mercedes Power Unit
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
OPINION: It's been an uneasy ride for Esteban Ocon since his F1 comeback - and fresh challenges lie in wait as he's joined by double world champion Fernando Alonso in the newly rebranded Alpine team. STUART CODLING sets out a roadmap to success…
Why Haas is willing to sacrifice its 2021 F1 season
Every Formula 1 team is facing the same difficult decision this season: how do you split precious aero development time between the current car and the all-new 2022 project?
The big questions of F1 2021 - Karun Chandhok
After an unprecedented season last year, there are plenty of questions and storylines for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok gives his verdict.
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
