Brown compliments outgoing Sainz: "He exceeded expectations"

With his arrival at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz is praised by Zak Brown, the team owner of McLaren for whom the Spaniard has had two successful seasons. Brown argues that Sainz has exceeded all expectations with his team.

"Carlos has done an outstanding job, I think," Brown explains to Formula1.com. “We would never have signed him if we didn’t think he was an excellent Grand Prix driver. I think it’s fair to say he exceeded our expectations.” In 2019, Sainz was brought in by McLaren to replace Fernando Alonso.

Brown continues his praise of Sainz: “I think he really came into his own in our environment. He’s done an outstanding job and he and Lando have helped lead the way these last couple of years.”

Sainz was able to take sixth place in the championship in 2020, two places ahead of his teammate Norris, who was able to defend eighth place.

However, Brown nuances Sainz's performance, recognising that the whole McLaren team has done a lot of work: “As you know, in a racing team, your drivers are the superstars, they’ve been big contributors, so have everyone at McLaren to give them a good, reliable race car. … It’s all really come together and Carlos and Lando have made the most of the opportunity.”

Brown also looks forward to the arrival of Daniel Ricciardo. About the Australian, who will replace Sainz at McLaren next year, Brown says: "He's a proven race winner, and somebody we've tried to get into our car a couple of years ago.”