Sainz expected to stay with Red Bull stable

The Formula One silly season may be upon us and the game of musical chairs as the drivers jostle for race seats may have begun.

But Carlos Sainz fully expects to stay within the Red Bull Racing driver programme beyond 2016.

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 and drop him back into the sister team at Toro Rosso, just one race removed from the Russian standing on the podium.

Red Bull Racing put years of investment into these drivers with the main aim to get them in the main RBR team after they’ve served an apprenticeship at Toro Rosso.

This has been the case for Sebastian Vettel in the past, is the case for Daniel Ricciardo now and to a certain extend was also the case for Kvyat.

His rise may have been accelerated by Vettel’s move to Ferrari, but nonetheless, Kvyat had shown the necessary development.

But the move to accelerate Max Verstappen to the top team, something that brought instant rewards with his maiden victory on his Red Bull debut has thrown not only Kvyat’s future in to doubt but also Sainz.

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.

With potential openings at Mercedes or Ferrari, Sainz, along with many other drivers have been linked with a move.

But the 21-year-old who has been part of the development programme since he was 15, still holds hope for completing his dream of becoming a Formula One World Champion with Red Bull.

‘I think Red Bull, if I do a good job, will always give me space.

‘I don’t know how, but I’m convinced that if I show them what I need to show them they will make me some space somewhere and I will fight for a world championship with them because that’s my ultimate goal.’ Sainz told Sky Sports.

‘Many people talk about Mercedes and Ferrari but my first world championship – I would like it to be with Red Bull because they’ve given me so much.

‘If I had to choose now where I would win my first world championship, no question it would be with Red Bull and hopefully that will happen soon.’

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost is expecting news of Sainz future at the team imminently.

?It looks like, and I personally hope that this is the case, that Carlos Sainz will stay with Toro Rosso. I think this will be confirmed soon.

?It?s also a good possibility for Carlos to show his talent and I hope that our car next year is very competitive, and that he will not find any disadvantages compared to another team.? he told motorsport.com.