Renault eyes Spanish driver for future (Update)

Carlos Sainz Jr.

UPDATE (GMM) Carlos Sainz's father has played down the revival of rumors linking the 22-year-old Spaniard with a move to the works Renault team.

Last year, Sainz was reportedly offered a drive by Renault for 2017, but Red Bull would not release him from his Toro Rosso contract.

Now, Renault has signed a prominent new Spanish sponsor, triggering rumors the French outfit still wants Sainz, now for 2018.

"Renault? I don't even think about it — it's a thing of the press," Sainz's father, the two-time former rally champion, told EFE news agency.

"It's inappropriate to start talking about that. In his head there is nothing other than Toro Rosso and getting the most out of that car," Carlos Sainz snr added.

"I am convinced that if Carlos does a good year again and squeezes as much from the car as possible, the opportunities will come," he said.

"As for the rest, he should forget about it."

02/22/17 (GMM) Renault has admitted it might be interested in signing up a Spanish driver in the future.

With Carlos Sainz having revealed that Red Bull blocked him from accepting an offer from Renault for 2017, the Spanish press got excited this week when the French works team unveiled Spanish company Mapfre as a new team sponsor.

Asked if the next step is a Spanish driver, Thierry Koskas answered: "Everything is possible."

Koskas is Renault's marketing chief, and he told Marca sports newspaper: "Obviously I would like to have a Spanish driver but also one from China, one from Brazil, one from any major country.

"It is true that Spain is very important to Renault. Last year we were the top brand in private vehicles — the Renault brand is very strong in Spain.

"So that is one issue but the first criteria for a driver is always to get good results," he added.