Carlos Sainz claims fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso will be reminded of 2005 when he drives the new Formula 1 cars.
The double world champion is out of contract at his current team McLaren after 2017 and has already indicated how the new-look machines impact the racing will decide his future.
However, Sainz, who has begun simulator work in the new Toro Rosso STR12, thinks the changes will return F1 back to Alonso’s glory days.
“They are faster cars, with the aerodynamic loads of the golden years of 2005,” Sainz was quoted by F1i.com.
“The tyres are wider and degrade less, allowing us to attack more.
“I do not have much contact with Fernando — less than people believe anyway. In fact, I don’t know what he is doing in the pre-season, but I do think Fernando will have a hard time retiring after he tries the new cars.”
The 22-year-old has also indicated the new Toro Rosso is “fast and impressive” based on his first virtual runs in it.
Indeed, the junior Red Bull team could be a dark horse to feature near the front of the midfield as they return to Renault power and have a highly respected designer in James Key.
Sainz himself is also one many will have an eye on after an impressive 2016 and is expected to lead the charge for the Faenza-based outfit alongside Daniil Kvyat.
