Carlos Sainz says rumours linking him to a Ferrari seat in 2021 are "a compliment".
The Spaniard really enjoyed a breakthrough season in Formula 1 last year, finishing sixth in the Drivers' Championship ahead of both Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, both of whom spent around 10 races at Red Bull.
Sainz also scored his first F1 podium, inheriting third in Brazil, and with his stock the highest it has been since debuting back in 2015, it's no surprise he's been added to the list of possible replacements for Sebastian Vettel.
"At the moment I am logically mainly concerned with McLaren. Everyone knows that I feel at home here and I am talking to them about 2021,” Sainz commented.
“Of course, it is nice to hear that people in Italy are talking about a possible transfer from me to Ferrari, I see that as a compliment.”
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Like Sainz, McLaren is also on an upward trajectory towards the front of the grid, after finishing 'best of the rest' last season, and the new regulations coming for next year are seen as an opportunity for the British team to once again fight at the front.
"When I look at 2021, I think it will be difficult for us to close the gap with the top teams,” Carlos conceded.
“Due to the drastic changes in rules, we just need more years for that. We hope to close the gap to this year and next year.
“However, it is clear that we need to improve on every level to get to Mercedes," he concluded.
