Sainz: I am confirmed for Toro Rosso next year

Carlos Sainz has made a dramatic about turn with regards to his future with Toro Rosso, after a spot of tennis with Red Bull chiefs Christian Horner and Helmut Marko the Spaniard has confirmed that he is staying with the organisation's junior team for another year.

Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Sainz told reporters that another year with Toro Rosso would be highly unlikely but since then it transpired that the Red Bull had extended their option on the 22 year old and as far as the team was concerned he would only be released for a substantial 'transfer' fee.

But after the weekend at Silverstone, Sainz updated his situation, "After Austria we cleared everything, clarified everything, what was said, what was not intended to be said and we explained everything to each other."

"We were playing tennis together, had a barbeque, enjoying our time - me versus Christian Horner and Marko was the referee. So we had a good time, the air is clear, and I'm a Red Bull driver inside the Red Bull programme confirmed for Toro Rosso next year."

"As a 22-year-old driver you learn from these kind of things and the air was cleared immediately once we started our conversation in Austria. At that point it was forgotten, I kept focusing on my job like I've done all season."

It is well known that certain elements of the Spanish media are lobbying top teams on behalf of Sainz, spreading reports about Ferrari and most recently concocting a theory that he would replace Jolyon Palmer at Renault for the Hungarian Grand Prix. All have proven to be fake.

Sainz admitted there was confusion surrounding his future, "I think there was a bit and I've learned from it. I'm calm because I don't have a reason to really be too stressed."

Meanwhile the Toro Rosso driver is embroiled in a 'civil war' with his teammate Daniil Kvyat after the pair collided on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix, the latest in a series of spats between the two.

Sainz was eliminated on the spot with damage to his car preventing him from continuing the race.