McLaren set to announce Sainz to replace Alonso

An announcement is expected on Thursday which will confirm Sainz on a two-year deal with the beleaguered Woking outfit.

McLaren's big bucks bid for Daniel Ricciardo was snubbed by the Red Bull driver who has instead taken up with Renault for the next couple of years.

This freed up Sainz whose paymasters, Red Bull, are not keen to pair up the Spaniard with Max Verstappen as the potential for conflict between the pair is great, to say the least.

At McLaren, it is clear that Stoffel Vandoorne has not stepped up to the plate and delivered on expectations thus he will be lucky not to be reduced to the list of great junior drivers who never had what it takes to deliver in the top flight.

Alonso rates Vandoorne and his departure may afford the Belgian a reprieve to keep him on alongside Sainz to have some form of continuity within the team.

They also have Lando Norris waiting in the wings. The plan would then to give the teenager several FP1 sessions during the course of the season, before making a call on his future while keeping Vandoorne honest.

Ricciardo's shock move to Renault triggered a frenzied 'summer break' of Silly Season info overload.

Where do we stand now? More questions than answers:

Many questions, but with a certain certainty we can report the next name on the 2019 F1 entry list will be Carlos Sainz driving for McLaren. Watch this space...

This report has developed:

https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/08/16/carlos-sainz-to-race-for-mclaren-from-2019/