Pedro de la Rosa is convinced that Carlos Sainz is the real deal, as good as Max Verstappen, and is hopeful that his fellow Spaniard will find a McLaren team on the up when he dons their overalls next year to lead the team in what is a new era at Woking.
Red Bull shunned Sainz when he was available earlier this year while Renault, where he drives now opted for Daniel Ricciardo to partner Nico Hulkenberg which resulted in a McLaren offer which the 24-year-old accepted.
Asked by El Confidencial if it was the right move for young Sainz, De la Rosa replied, "Let's see, I'm quite optimistic in the sense that McLaren has hit rock bottom, but no matter what people say is still a great team."
"Next year they probably will not fight for a podium but they will be more competitive than this year. Honestly, I believe we have seen the worst of McLaren, but you have to be realistic as it is highly unlikely that from the back of the grid they will be podium contenders next year. This does not happen in Formula 1."
"McLaren is immersed in a reconstruction period, I am sure the team will rise again but much depends on what Renault can deliver to help them," explained De la Rosa who drove for the Woking outfit in 2005 and 2006.
As for Sainz who steps in to replace outgoing Fernando Alonso at the sport's second most successful team, "I see [Carlos] as a top driver and for me, it is very clear that he is at the same level as Verstappen and [Nico] Hulkenberg and faster than many others which shows the level he is at."
"I have no doubt he is World Champion material. The next Alonso? The comparisons are odious because Fernando is one of the best in history. In fifteen years we will be in a position to compare them, not now," insisted De la Rosa.
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