Sainz won't leave Toro Rosso in 2018 - Horner
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner is adamant that Carlos Sainz will be at sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso next year, despite the Spaniard claiming he's unlikely to remain with the outfit.
Sainz made it clear on Thursday that his priority is to find a way into Red Bull Racing, before adding: "If that doesn't happen, a fourth year in Toro Rosso is unlikely, and I'm not going to close the door to any opportunity."
However, Horner insisted a day later that Sainz will be staying put in 2018.
Like other Toro Rosso drivers in the past, Sainz's contract is actually with Red Bull Racing, and he is in effect loaned out to the Italian team.
"We've exercised his option as well, so he's under contract," Horner told Sky F1. "We have an option on him for next year and the year after, so he'll be in a Toro Rosso again next year."
Asked about Sainz's suggestion that he will move on, Horner said: "I don't know where he thinks he'll be then! Contracts are clear.
"You have to remember that he only got an opportunity in F1 because of Red Bull investing in him in the junior years, and it's a little disingenuous to be making comments like that when a lot of investment goes into these guys to give them the opportunity.
"Without Red Bull he wouldn't be sitting in an F1 car."
Horner then moved to deny suggestions that Sainz could be placed at Renault in 2018: "I can't imagine that scenario.
"Toro Rosso are ahead of Renault at this point in time, and doing a good job, and it wouldn't make sense to loan him out."
Baku win changes nothing for 2018
Horner also insisted that Daniel Ricciardo's Baku win has not had any impact of the future of either the Australian or teammate Max Verstappen.
It's been suggested that, had RBR not logged a victory this year, its drivers would have found it easier to break free of their current contracts, and look elsewhere.
"It doesn't make any difference to the contracts," Horner said.
"We're very clear on what our drivers and who our drivers are for next year, which are the same numbers that are on the car this year.
"So there's nothing really to report on that. The contracts are clear, so both drivers are under contract for next year, 100 percent."
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