Source: Renault F1 Media

Rumors

RUMOUR: Sainz set to replace Alonso at McLaren!

RUMOUR: Sainz set to replace Alonso at McLaren!

15-08-2018 11:15
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Jake Williams-Smith

McLaren is set to announce Carlos Sainz as Fernando Alonso's replacement at the team. The current Renault driver is without a seat currently after Daniel Ricciardo was announced to be joining the Renault team for 2019.

According to ESPN, McLaren will make the announcement later this week, partnering Sainz with Stoffel Vandoorne. The move will open up the path to Red Bull for Pierre Gasly, who will race alongside Max Verstappen.

The vacant seats at both McLaren and Red Bull were key in the driver market with silly season rumours seemingly linking every driver on the grid with a move somewhere else. Both Sainz and Gasly had been in the frame for the drive at Red Bull however Sainz and Verstappen's relationship was left strained at Toro Rosso after perceived favouritism to the young Dutchman.

With Alonso's announcement on Tuesday that he would finally be walking away from the sport, a move to IndyCar is in the works with McLaren exploring possibilities of an entry for 2019 for the man in search of the Triple Crown.

Should Sainz be the driver of choice for McLaren, it would leave the team's F2 talent Lando Norris without a drive in the sport. A move to Super Formula in Japan seemingly likely for the young Brit over a race seat in 2019.