Sainz: Gasly the safe option for Red Bull

When Red Bull loaned out Sainz to Renault it was always seen as a backup plan should Daniel Ricciardo depart the team, when this did in fact transpire - the Australian driver was poached by Renault - the Spaniard was overlooked

Sainz told Sky F1, "I am convinced that in 2016 and 2017 that if there was a gap at Red Bull then I would have got it but Ricciardo and Verstappen were fixed."

“Then I left for Renault and had a very good year, but inevitably I lost a bit of touch and Red Bull didn’t have as much information, so they went for the safe option with Gasly, which I fully back because he is a great driver and deserves the Red Bull chance."

The 24-year-old from Madrid will depart Renault at the end of this season and take up his place at McLaren for 2019 and beyond. Many believe this to be a step backward as the once mighty team have fallen on hard times on track.

But Sainz sees the positives, “This is my first time in F1 that I will have a two-year contract. It gives me stability and it gives me confidence. The team have had a tough year and they have learnt from it. There has been the clear reaction of a team which wants to get back to winning ways.”