Both Jolyon Palmer and Carlos Sainz have claimed they do expect to remain in their respective seats for the next race in Malaysia, despite speculation the move, which will see the Spaniard replace the Briton for 2018, could be brought forward.
On Friday, the engine swaps which had been reported for several days were officially announced as McLaren ended their partnership with Honda to tie up with Renault with the Japanese manufacturer staying in F1 thanks to a deal with Toro Rosso.
As part of the arrangement, Sainz will be loaned to the Renault works team for next season, with Red Bull still leaving the door open for the 22-year-old to be promoted to the senior team should either Max Verstappen or Daniel Ricciardo leave for 2019.
A side aspect of the story, however, was that Sainz could make the switch to the Enstone team as soon as the next race at Sepang replacing Jolyon Palmer, but the former GP2 champion insisted on Thursday he would be seeing out his 2017 contract.
“Yes. I have a contract with seven more races this year,” he said. “There have been suggestions for about 35 races that I might not be in the next few so this is nothing new for me, it is water off a duck’s back, it is the same to most races this year so nothing has changed.”
On Friday, Sainz himself also rejected the possibility of an early move.
“For the moment I’m 100% sure because that’s what I heard,” he said as to whether he’d be a Toro Rosso driver in Malaysia. “All the rest is a bit of speculation at the moment and it’s something that I’ll probably be the last to know.
“All the decisions are taken by Red Bull and Renault. It’s something that if it happens it’s a negotiation between Renault and Red Bull and nothing to do with me.”
Renault Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul also rubbished the suggestion but one element that may still leave questions is the revelation Palmer was not informed of the decision to replace him for 2018 until after it was reported by the media.
“I knew when I read it on Autosport and then I knew it was true as well after I spoke to some people. That was it,” Jolyon explained. “Of course I knew with the job I’d done this year, the team is looking for other people because it’s been a tough year but you never know until it’s over.”
Asked his thoughts on not being told, he added: “It was a bit of a shame. I don’t even know who leaked it to the media, but the media have their ways, I know. It doesn’t change the outcome, to be honest.”
