CARLOS SAINZ TO RENAULT AHEAD OF MCLAREN ENGINE DEAL

Carlos Sainz Jr on the move to Renault – Photo: LAT

Motorsport.com are reporting this morning that Carlos Sainz Jr has agreed to a deal that will see him move from Toro Rosso to the factory Renault F1 team, possibly as early as the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Although yet to be confirmed by either team at this stage, it had been rumoured back in July that Sainz was on the move to Renault, with Jolyon Palmer falling out of favour with the French manufacturer. Suggestions earlier in the year had the young Spanish driver joining them from the Hungarian Grand Prix even though he still had one more year left on his Red Bull backed Toro Rosso contract.

Carlos Sainz to replace Jolyon Palmer at Renault – Photo: LAT

With Sainz’s move to the Renault all but confirmed, Formula 1’s musical chairs should now kick off in earnest. It’s expected that deal will shortly be announced that will see Toro Rosso taking up Honda’s engine supply deal in 2018, with the assistance of using McLaren’s gearboxes. Making way for McLaren to use Renault engines next year.

Should Sainz vacate his seat before the end of the year, Red Bull junior, Pierre Gasly would be expected to line up alongside Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso for the remainder of the season. While Honda could have some input into the driver line up for 2018.

The move would also lock in Fernando Alonso at McLaren, who’s position on the Honda engine situation has been well reported. In fact you can read all about it in the current issue of Auto Action magazine (1718) on sale now.

We have also have more of the latest news out of the Formula 1 paddock in the current issue of Auto Action Magazine. In the meantime follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or sign up for our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates.