Carlos Sainz has said he would never intentionally pull over for his hero and mentor Fernando Alonso despite their close relationship.
The Toro Rosso driver credited the double world champion for helping him achieve his goal of racing in Formula One from the age of 15 adding: “It helped me a lot. Perhaps without him, I would not be here today. I owe him a great deal.”
Indeed Sainz has quickly become recognised as a future star in F1 after multiple standout performances during last season allowed him to make the mark that was sometimes ignored when he was partnered with Max Verstappen in 2015.
He was considered by Renault and was very high on Mercedes’ list of drivers to replace Nico Rosberg, however, Red Bull moved quickly to fend off any interest.
Some believe it is possible that when Alonso decides to hang up his helmet, which could be as soon as the end of this year, Sainz could be the man to take over at McLaren providing he hadn’t already made his move from Faenza.
But for as along as the pair share the same racetrack, the 22-year-old says his fellow countryman is just another competitor.
“When you drive in F1, you see a McLaren behind and you don’t see Fernando Alonso, the person,” he was quoted by F1i.com.
“I am not just going to let him by, especially if I am in P3 and about to get the first podium of my career, or my first win or whatever.”
Sainz is looking to ensure he carries the form that earned him such high praise from many in the paddock into 2017, even revealing he toned down New Year’s Eve activities as part of his training program.
He described that as a “sacrifice” but with Toro Rosso expected to be a bit of a dark horse this year with James Key designing the new STR12 and a change back to Renault power units, it could be very much worth it.
