“Many people talk about Mercedes and Ferrari but my first world championship - I would like it to be with Red Bull," Toro Rosso driver tells Sky F1.
Monday 20 June 2016 13:30, UK
Carlos Sainz has played down talk of a move to Mercedes or Ferrari and says he wants to win his first world title with Red Bull.
The Toro Rosso youngster has been one of the stand-out performers of 2016 after impressing in his rookie season and admits he is eager to follow in Max Verstappen's footsteps in making the leap to the senior team.
But with Christian Horner claiming the Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo partnership will continue for at least another year, Sainz's path appears to be blocked for the time being.
Potential seat openings at Mercedes and Ferrari are not turning the Spaniard's head, however, having been involved with the Red Bull junior programme since the age of 15.
Asked if he saw his future with the team by Sky F1's Johnny Herbert, Sainz said: "I think so. I think Red Bull, if I do a good job, will always give me space.
"I don't know how, but I'm convinced that if I show them what I need to show them they will make me some space somewhere and I will fight for a world championship with them because that's my ultimate goal.
"Many people talk about Mercedes and Ferrari but my first world championship - I would like it to be with Red Bull because they've given me so much.
"If I had to choose now where I would win my first world championship, no question it would be with Red Bull and hopefully that will happen soon."
Though he was outscored by Verstappen last year there was little to split the duo's pace, and Sainz has maintained his strong form since being paired with Daniil Kvyat.
How Verstappen and Sainz compared at Toro Rosso
The 22-year-old rose 11 places in Montreal to secure ninth place for Toro Rosso but while his best career finish was sixth at this year's Spanish GP, Verstappen won the same race for Red Bull after replacing Kvyat.
"Driving a Red Bull is my target and it will always be, I cannot hide that I would have liked it to be me," Sainz explained. "But in my plans, and the career they put to me, I was never jumping into Red Bull in the fifth race of the season.
"So when they didn't choose me I said it's not my problem, it's not my moment yet. I had to keep doing what I'm doing because that's exactly what Red Bull told me - your chance will arrive. That's what I'm focusing on at the moment."
Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has witnessed Sainz's talent first hand and agrees that he is ready to to compete at the highest level.
Canadian GP winners and losers
"If all the ingredients come together he has the skills to win races," Tost told Sky F1. "And if you win a lot of races you can win championships. He has the ability to do it.
"But I personally don't think Red Bull Racing will free him from the contract because they invested a lot of money and time into his future and he is a very high skilled driver. "
