Fernando Alonso is confident his McLaren seat will be in good hands when Carlos Sainz replaces him next season.
The double world champion is set to head off to IndyCar next season among other places as he looks to add the Indianapolis 500 and complete the Triple Crown but it means for the first time since 2002, Formula 1 will be without the Spaniard.
In many ways, it feels very right that he should be passing his torch to Sainz, who idolised Alonso growing up and has been his apprentice for much of his career, therefore, despite his Red Bull links, Fernando is just as well versed on the 23-year-old’s potential.
“Carlos has everything he needs to lead a project like McLaren that we hope will continue to improve by the end of the year,” the 37-year-old said at WEC’s Silverstone 6 Hours this past weekend.
“The problems with the car have been identified for some months now even though many of the solutions cannot be applied now because the 2018 design is done but I think in 2019 it could look completely different.
“I think it could be a better year and Carlos has the experience and ability to lead such a project. He is still young and has not been in F1 for many years, but he still has enough experience from Toro Rosso and Renault. That mix could work very well for McLaren.”
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While Sainz is still focused on doing the best he can in his remaining nine races with Renault, he does admit some attention is already shifting towards being well prepared for McLaren next year.
“When it comes to Spa I will talk with him [Alonso] and will start having conversations with him about next year and how to approach the year,” he said at an event at Assen in Holland.
“For sure he will let me know the people there and all that, he will give me good contacts.”