McLaren success is medium to long term says Sainz

Carlos Sainz has said that McLaren’s aim for success is in the medium to long term, more so than short term.

Sainz has moved to McLaren from Renault on a two-year contract and revealed that compatriot Fernando Alonso advised him to move because it’s “a team with potential to succeed in the medium term.”

"Fernando advised me to go to McLaren as he believes the team has potential. He knows that the project is medium or long term, but I am young enough to have patience and establish myself in a team like this.”

"For me it was a positive year. It gave me the opportunity to open a door like McLaren for the next two years and I'm sure I'll enjoy them," quoted by EFE news agency.

"I'm excited. That's the word to describe how I feel.”

"In this month I was able to go to the factory to meet the people and see a team that has had such a hard year but now has a renewed spirit.”

McLaren have struggled in recent times after using Honda engines for three years, having constant reliability issues, then opting to switch to using Renault as a supplier from the beginning of this year.

Sainz said the realistic aim for the now is to improve “little by little.”

"I do not know how much we will improve, but I hope to see progress and contribute as much as possible.”

"The short term is important, but we cannot forget that it is a medium-term project. The really important thing is where we will be two years from now, not so much in Australia next year.”