Red Bull have taken up their option on Spaniard Carlos Sainz confirming his place within the Toro Rosso team for 2017.
The Red Bull driver developmental programme is notoriously cut throat and that has never been more evident after the decision to drop Daniil Kvyat from Red Bull Racing.
The Russian did not lose his seat in Formula One completely as he was moved back into the sister team at Toro Rosso.
It did put into question Kvyat’s future within Red Bull and all of this came just one race removed from the Russian standing on the podium.
But whilst the move to accelerate Max Verstappen to the top team, was bad news for Kvyat it wasn’t great for Sainz either.
The Spaniard has shown plenty of potential, but it’s unlikely that either Ricciardo or Verstappen will be leaving Red Bull Racing in the immediate future, blocking Sainz potential development.
But the 21-year-old who has been part of the development programme since he was 15, will be remaining with the team for 2017, with a decision on his long-term future left for another day.
‘he is committed to Red Bull for the next 12 months – then we have the ability to place them where we want, He is currently at Toro Rosso and that is where he will be next year.’ Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner told motorsport.com.
On the point of having Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz under contract he added: ‘It’s a luxury issue really. We are set in RBR for the next two-and-a-half years so it is a luxury issue to have.’
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