Sainz: McLaren are not here to be fourth

Speaking to Spanish media during an Estrella Galicia 0,0 event in Madrid, Sainz said, "We want more because we are not here to be fourth in the Championship.

"We want to continue our progress, both as a team and as a brand. We know there’s a long road ahead, but the first half of the season has been really positive. The team is starting to be where it should, but it needs time.

"Since Azerbaijan, we have scored some really good results that have put us in a very good position in the Championship, maybe even a little bit ahead of the goals we had set for ourselves."

The 25-year-old was signed by McLaren to replace double-F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, big shoes to fill, but Sainz has won the hearts and minds of the team and has a good relationship with impressive rookie Lando Norris.

Sainz acknowledged, "You are happy when you know that you are being appreciated, that they are putting you in the Top 3 of the season. It is the consequence of the hard work, of going in the right direction as a team and finding in McLaren a home where I can exploit my potential.

"The first part of the year was really good and I want the trend to continue in the second part, so we will continue working humbly, one race at a time," he added.

Regarding his long-time sponsor, Sainz said, "I have been part of the Estrella Galicia family since 2013 and we are in our sweetest moment to date.

"The relationship we’ve created together with McLaren and Estrella Galicia is unique: they are two very similar companies, with a shared passion and a very similar approach to tradition. We want to continue growing together, getting better each day and trusting that soon we’ll have more important things to celebrate".

Heading to Singapore the Spaniard lies seventh in the title race, Best of the Rest by a handy margin of 24 points with McLaren fourth in the constructors' championship.

Ahead of the weekend at Marina Bay Street Circuit, Sainz said, "I have always scored good points in Singapore. It could be a good circuit for us. Our goal is to be the fourth team, which would mean finishing the race in seventh and eighth place with both cars, and then wait and see if some of the cars ahead do a mistake.

"If it rains, it will be an unpredictable race and we may be able to fight for bigger things," added the McLaren driver.