Carlos Sainz Jr admits a fourth season with Scuderia Toro Rosso is unlikely, with his primary aim to advance to Red Bull Racing in 2018.
The Spaniard is one of the most highly rated drivers on the grid, and has been touted to join one of the top teams in the past couple of seasons, although Sainz would prefer to remain as part of the Red Bull family rather than move elsewhere.
However, Sainz will not close the door on any potential opportunity for the future, with the McLaren Formula 1 Team and Renault Sport Formula 1 Team both being linked with the twenty-two-year-old former Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion.
“I think it’s still a very long season ahead,” said Sainz during Thursdays Press Conference in Austria. “Obviously these rumours are always going to come at this stage.
“As you all know my target number one is to be with Red Bull next year and start fighting for podiums or wins or whatever they are fighting for next year and I’m going to keep pushing for this.
“If that doesn’t happen obviously a fourth year at Toro Rosso is unlikely so I’m not going to close the door to any opportunity.”