Sainz to replace Ricciardo (Update)
 |
| Carlos Sainz Jr. not ready for F1 |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Carlos Sainz Jr has admitted he is not a serious candidate to replace the Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso next year.
With Antonio Felix da Costa struggling in the Renault 'world series', and Felipe Nasr now ruled out of the running, it had been suggested the impressive teen Spaniard Sainz might be in pole position to succeed Ricciardo.
But Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost this week said leaping straight from GP3 would be "too big a jump" for 19-year-old Sainz, who he also considers too young for F1.
"I am staying on the ground," Sainz, whose father and namesake is the world rally legend, is quoted by Speed Week.
"It's no secret that formula one is my big goal, and I'm moving closer step by step.
"But at the moment I'm thinking of my last race in GP3, and beyond that three races in the Formula Renault 3.5 and also Macau," he added.
Sainz said he has had talks with Red Bull's influential Dr Helmut Marko recently, "but it was all about my assignments in Formula Renault and Macau", he revealed.
"There was no mention of formula one," added Sainz.
09/06/13 (GMM) Carlos Sainz Jr has raced into pole position to fill the new vacancy at Toro Rosso next year.
With Daniel Ricciardo heading to Red Bull's main team in 2014, it was believed the next in line at the junior squad Toro Rosso was Antonio Felix da Costa.
But the Portuguese has struggled recently in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.
Next in line could be Carlos Sainz Jr, the 19-year-old son of the Spanish rally legend.
He is managed by Luis Garcia Abad, who also handles Fernando Alonso's career.
"It's very good news for our country that Daniel has signed (for Red Bull)," Alonso said at Monza.
"It has opened up a good possibility for Carlos Sainz to join Toro Rosso," he revealed.
Spain's Marca newspaper reports that Red Bull figures were "amazed" with Sainz's "speed, professionalism and reporting of information to engineers" earlier this year when he tested at Silverstone.
He is reportedly also backed strongly by the influential Dr Helmut Marko.
Another Spanish daily, AS, said there is a chance Sainz will drive the Toro Rosso on Friday in Singapore, while figures at Spain's motor racing federation have reportedly been at work to obtain a super license for the youngster.