Carlos Sainz has signed a deal with Renault that will boost McLaren’s move to Renault’s engines, according to renowned Autosport magazine.
After a few weeks of unsuccessful negotiations between McLaren, Honda, Toro Rosso and Red Bull, this complex situation seems to be close to the solution that will make everyone happy.
Sainz’s move to Renault serves as an incentive for the French constructor and engine manufacturer to terminate the deal with Toro Rosso earlier and deliver their power units to McLaren who wants to get rid of Honda.
Toro Rosso will take Honda engines and McLaren gearboxes that are tailored to the Honda power unit, as a part of the deal.
Although it is a contract for 2018, Sainz could go to Renault before the Malaysian GP if the French team decides not to continue with Jolyon Palmer, who did not score any points this year in a car that is currently the fourth fastest in Formula 1 .
If this happens, in Toro Rosso will arrive Pierre Gasly who is currently driving in the Japanese Super Formula.
Contract details between Sainz and Renault, as well as between Toro Rosso and Honda, McLaren and Renault, should be agreed next week, to make everything ready for official announcements ahead of Singapore GP.
It is still not known what will happen with the partnership between McLaren and Honda and whether Fernando Alonso will remain in the team, but the current development of the event should surely favor his stay in Woking for at least another season.
