Sainz: "I don't think about it. It's normal, it's nothing special"

Following Fernando Alonso's departure from Formula 1 at the conclusion of the 2018 season, Carlos Sainz has been flying the flag for Spain. However, the McLaren man has admitted he doesn't feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

Two-time World Champion Alonso left Formula 1 and the McLaren F1 team and his compatriot Sainz took up his seat at the constructor. Sainz, alongside Lando Norris impressed during their first season at McLaren as they surged to best of the rest, and the prior even scored a podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Many would have thought the pressure of flying the flag for Spain could have affected Sainz but he admitted it he hasn't let him bother him.

"I don't think about it. It's normal, it's nothing special," Sainz told Motorsport.com. 

"I can't comment much about it because I haven't felt a big change.

"Yes, there is the Spanish press, they are helping, they are supporting me a lot, which I appreciate a lot.

"But I never felt that the Spanish press was never with me or that it focused more on Fernando or anything like that," he added.