Brown confirms McLaren's interest in Sainz

McLaren boss Zak Brown confirms his side's interest in Carlos Sainz for next season.

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso is still yet to make a final decision regarding his future in Formula One and Stoffel Vandoorne has struggled this season, leaving potentially both McLaren seats open for 2019.

Carlos Sainz Jr. is under contract at Red Bull, and has spent the last season driving for Renault but with Daniel Ricciardo's future still not decided - Sainz's future remains uncertain.

Zak Brown has now confirmed that McLaren are looking at Sainz for a potential addition to the team in time for next season.

"We think Carlos is an excellent race driver," Brown told Sky Sports F1.

"Of course Carlos is potentially on the market, I don't know his exact situation at Renault and Red Bull but he's certainly someone as you go down the shortlist of drivers that you'd consider putting in your car. If he was free, and if we had a seat, he would certainly be high up the list for a racing seat."

Sainz may need a move away from Renault, with the French side confirming they are interested in bringing Force India's Esteban Ocon to their team for the 2019 season.