Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul has confirmed that the French team is already in talks with their driver Carlos Sainz to retain his services beyond this year, as the Spaniard is on loan from Red Bull and will likely return there after this season.
Abiteboul knew what the team was getting itself into when signing Sainz on loan, but he does want to have clarity as soon as possible on what Sainz's plans are.
"We have two great drivers now, it's just that with Carlos we're in a tough situation," he told Motorsport.com.
"We can't offer him a contract for next season yet, but we knew that when we started this adventure with him.
Red Bull has been clear that Sainz will only be stalled at Renault for one season, something that's giving Renault headaches now as they need to find a potential replacement.
"We're not in a comfortable situation," Abiteboul admits, "but we have to accept that we have to make a move with some things.
"One of those things is the drivers' market - we want to get control over that as soon as possible."
Although the situation is tough, Abiteboul did reveal that Renault has started talking with Sainz about the future of the talented Spaniard.
"We have to think a few steps ahead and that's the reason why we started talking to Carlos about the long term.
"We're currently looking at what can happen after this season."
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