Sainz has 'a lot to analyse' after Abu Dhabi McLaren F1 test

Carlos Sainz Jr says he has “a lot of information to analyse” over the winter ahead of his switch to the McLaren Formula 1 team for 2019.

Having helped Renault secure fourth place in the constructors’ championship at the 2018 Abu Dhabi season finale, the Spaniard, who will replace fellow countryman Fernando Alonso at McLaren for 2019, made his first appearance for his new team at post-season testing, describing his McLaren test debut as “a dream come true”.

Sainz ended the second and final day of the Pirelli tyre test with 150 laps to his name and set the fifth-fastest time in McLaren’s Renault-powered MCL33.

“After the race finished in Abu Dhabi, we’ve been full steam ahead on 2019,” Sainz said.

“I’ve been learning names of my new colleagues, how the car works, how the system works, also building relationships with the engineers - and that has gone all to plan.

“Thanks to the 150 laps I did at the test, I can go into winter with a lot of information to analyse.

“Everything felt at home, since the moment I jumped in, everything felt really, really good.

“I can’t complain. It has been a great few days and thanks to the mechanics and engineers who made me feel like I’m at home.”

The test also provided Sainz with the chance to link up with 2019 teammate Lando Norris for the first time, and he revealed the relationship had started “smoothly”.

“Seeing him drive on Day 1 of the Abu Dhabi test helped me to see how the team was operating,” Sainz added.

“And then it was my turn, and we have already shared a couple of comments about the car, about the balance, about what we need for next year.

“It’s going smoothly so far.”

Sainz said he will return home to have a break over the Christmas period after spending some time at McLaren’s Woking headquarters to get familiar to his new surroundings and colleagues.

“l’ll be going home in mid-December to get a bit of a break over Christmas and New Year’s Eve,” he explained.

“Until then, still a bit of hard work to do, but we’ll have some fun at the factory too.

“We’re planning on doing some go-karting races with the mechanics and stuff to get to know each other. It’ll be a fun few days - but still working and pushing hard.”