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Sainz hoping for early McLaren move ahead of Abu Dhabi test

13:35, 26 Oct 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Carlos Sainz is keen for an early move to McLaren so he can take part in the post-season Pirelli tyre test in Abu Dhabi. The Spaniard says his management is looking at options to get out of his contract with Renault early so he can drive for his 2019 team McLaren ahead of the winter break.

Speaking ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Sainz told media that he was keen to try the McLaren MCL33 ahead of testing the new car in February next year in order to get acclimatised to his new environment.

"It's a good opportunity to try this year's car, obviously not next year's, but I'm focusing on these three races," he said.

"I think my management are looking into if it's possible or not. At the moment it's not decided, or nothing has been clarified."

Although his mind is on the future with McLaren, Sainz says he is determined to finish off his Renault career strongly.

"There has been some organisation of how to plan the winter, but nothing to do with performance or… engineering talking, let’s put it like that," he said.

"I think I’m fully committed to this project, to the Renault, until the end of the year – until, really, Sunday afternoon after Abu Dhabi – and I think my results in the second half of the season are proving it.

"We are scoring a lot of points, I think it’s 17 points since Hungary, and finally my season is starting to come together.

"I’m very pleased, very happy with how things are going here and I really want to finish my season with Renault, my time with Renault, on a high, like we are doing now."