Carlos Sainz isn’t interested in following the future of Sebastian Vettel despite suggestion the pair could switch seats next season.
The four-time world champion is out of contract at Ferrari at the end of 2020 and has been linked to a surprise move to McLaren due to his past association with team boss Andreas Seidl.
Sainz too is a free agent for 2021, but while his stock is the highest it’s ever been after finishing sixth in the Drivers’ standings and scoring his first F1 podium in Brazil, the Spaniard insists he is fully committed to the British team.
“I don’t know and at the moment I don’t really care if Sebastian’s going to be the catalyst [of the driver market] or not,” he was quoted by Fox Sports Australia.
“I think as you guys know, I’m very happy in McLaren. I feel very much part of this project, part of this medium to long-term project.
“I cannot start thinking about anything else, unless it’s wanting this year to be a step forward from last year and keep working in the same direction, with the same objectives, and we will see at the end of the year.”
Also Read:
- Vettel’s Ferrari future ‘in his hands’ as Binotto admits first races are ‘important’
- Vettel unsure about racing in F1’s midfield again: ‘The feeling can’t be the same’
As Vettel deliberates over his F1 future, he also faces a crucial year up against Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.
But the Monegasque doesn’t think that will be a distraction for the German.
“I feel very lucky to be in a position where I have a long-term contract and I am happy to be in this position,” he told Motorsport Week.
“I also know his position in a way, as my last two years I only had one-year contracts.
“I don’t think it will destabilise him,” Leclerc added. “He is a very strong driver and I expect him to be strong anyway.”