Marko: I would not be surprised to see Sainz at another team

Although Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz has a watertight contract with Red Bull, it has now become apparent that the Spaniard may be 'up for sale' and may indeed be on the move to a new team at the end of this season.

The team's driver chief Helmut Marko has in the past made it clear that all four drivers, on the current F1 grid, wearing Red Bull have solid contracts with the organisation that stretches beyond 2017, but this week he let it out the bag that Sainz may have an opt out clause should Red Bull allow it to be triggered.

Speaking to Canal F1, Marko revealed, "It's difficult to talk about 100% in Formula 1. I would not be surprised to see [Sainz] in another team. Because I know what his contract is, but only we can make it possible."

In July, Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner made it known, “Carlos Sainz has a contract with Red Bull Racing. There’s two years left on that contract. If somebody was prepared to make an offer, of course we’d consider it."

The message from Horner and Marko to teams seeking Sainz's services, for 2018 and beyond, is crystal clear: "show us the money and anything can happen."

The most likely option for the 23 year old is Renault who rate him highly and are likely to show Jolyon Palmer the door come the end of this season.

Such a move would only happen, as Marko implied, if Renault are prepared to pay for the 'transfer' of Sainz away from Toro Rosso. This could be in the form of a fat cheque or a hefty discount on the engines that Red Bull pay for as a Renault customer.

Although he has been quiet since the season resumed after the summer break, before that Sainz was making high profile noises about being stuck at Toro Rosso for another year and his desire to move to a big team is also well known. Red Bull chiefs had to reign him in and order him to put a lid on it.

But it appears that the door is open for such an option provided there is a sweetener for the energy drinks campto allow Sainz to move to other pastures. Watch this space!