Sainz outlines immediate targets ahead of Renault debut

Carlos Sainz Jr says it will be “a big challenge” to get up speed for Renault in his late season switch which begins at the United States Grand Prix as he explains his expectations of the French manufacturer.

After Renault secured a deal to take Sainz on-loan from Red Bull for 2018 an agreement was settled to see the Spanish driver join the Enstone-based team early for the final four races of this season with Jolyon Palmer shuffled out of the squad.

With the opening free practice session at the United States race set to be his first on-track experience with Renault and the R.S.17, Sainz is bracing for a tricky task getting up to speed but is also relishing the opportunity as early preparation for next year.

“I’m very excited to joining the team and I hope to hit the ground running,” Sainz said. “We have some hard work ahead of us going into Austin with lots of things to learn and many people to meet.

“I’m going to give everything to be on the pace as soon as possible even though I know it can take a bit of time to adapt, but I’m confident we can do it.

“It’s key to have this immediate taste with Renault and get to know the people and the car. It’s a big challenge, but it motivates me. We have this last push for the season and I have to find where the limit of the car is, get used to the steering wheel, things like that. That’s the procedure and I will embrace the challenge.

“It’s good to see the people at Enstone putting the work in to get back to the top. They can be sure all the effort being put in is being matched on my side of things and I will be pushing flat out to help the team.”

In a late season switch, Sainz joins alongside Nico Hulkenberg at Renault while Toro Rosso has an all-new driver line-up for the US race. Daniil Kvyat has been recalled to act as Sainz’s replacement until the end of 2017, while Pierre Gasly – who substituted in for Kvyat – will contest the Super Formula season finale as the sole Honda driver who can challenge for the championship.

As a result, Brendon Hartley has been handed his F1 race debut by Toro Rosso after it secured an agreement with Porsche for the New Zealand driver.