Carlos Sainz has summarised his 2018 season so far as "weird". The Spaniard feels that his results so far this season have not been truly reflective of his progress as a driver since joining Renault in 2017.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Sainz said that despite a positive 2018 season to this point, his points deficit to teammate Nico Hulkenberg is not a true reflection of the difference in talent between the two drivers.
“It's been weird, because I was achieving a lot of points at the beginning of the year without being 100 per cent comfortable with the car, and working very hard to get it a bit back (to where I was comfortable),” said Sainz.
“I think Barcelona was a good turning point, where I was able to get that stability, that confidence with the car.
“And since then, a lot of things have happened to me on race day and the points suddenly are not coming, even if I'm pretty confident with the car.
“Paul Ricard was a good example, where we have an engine issue and issues towards the end.
“We did a perfect weekend, then a good qualifying in Austria, and in Hockenheim with the old front wing, and running in the points always.
“But situations on Sundays have made me miss on quite a lot of points, and sometimes a championship doesn't reflect the whole picture of the year.”
Sainz has recently been linked with the McLaren seat alongside compatriot Fernando Alonso, replacing Stoffel Vandoorne at the team. Another, although a rather unlikely option due to their past relationship at Toro Rosso, is a reunion with Max Verstappen at Red Bull, replacing the Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo.