Sainz flattered to be linked with Ferrari and Renault

Carlos Sainz has said that it is a compliment to be linked with drives at Ferrari and Renault but has claimed that he is happy to be part of Red Bull.

The Toro Rosso driver recently a signed an extension with Red Bull and confirmed his seat for the 2017 season, where he will be racing for the junior Red Bull outfit for a third campaign in a row.

With rumours flying around that the energy drink owned team will trade the Spaniard to Renault for a better power unit deal, the youngster rebuffed those claims, saying that he has a lot of support from the hierarchy of Red Bull.

“It’s a compliment that Ferrari is interested, it’s a compliment that Renault is interested,” said the 21-year-old.

“At the end it’s manufacturers, and at the end it’s manufacturers that rule Formula One and they are here to stay.

“To get the interest from such an important manufacturer like Renault is of course. I feel a lot of pride for it and I am not going to deny it, it makes me feel happy.

“I am very comfortable in Toro Rosso, I have a lot of support from the big bosses, which is important for me to have the support Helmut Marko, Christian Horner and Franz Tost.

“They trust me a lot and it’s the right place to be, the people trust you, you have James Key also in Toro Rosso, who, next year could surprise many people with the new regulations. I’m sure next year Toro Rosso is not a bad place to be and in any case it could be a good place also with the links with Red Bull and everything going on.”