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Sainz dubs Mercedes-McLaren deal as another step in "road to recovery"

13:39, 10 Oct 2019

byNicolás Quarles van Ufford

McLaren driver Carlos Sainz Jr. has dubbed the team's newly struck deal with Mercedes, which will take effect from 2021 onwards, as a step in McLaren's "road to recovery" to the top of the grid.

The Woking-based team are currently having an excellent season compared to previous years, with 2019 being the first year where they've scored 100 points since 2014.

Sainz has led the charge for the papaya-orange cars, scoring 66 points compared to teammate Lando Norris' 35, putting them at the top of the midfield standings in fourth place.

Speaking about the future engine partner in Mercedes, Sainz was also quick to point out the help that Renault have been in McLaren's major progress throughout 2019.

"At the moment we are focused on our relationship with Renault, which honestly has helped us a lot," the 25-year-old said.

"To realise our own problems and to realize where we need to work the most, thanks to last year’s competitiveness with Renault and Red Bull we could judge our package better thanks to that engine and thanks to the progress Renault has done on this year’s power unit we are actually scoring a lot of points.

"The Mercedes deal is part of the plan, to our road to recovery, let’s put it like that, and hopefully that will also give us another good step."