Sainz targets beating ‘idol’ Alonso

Carlos Sainz insists he will do his utmost to beat his racing “idol” Fernando Alonso if this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix pits the pair together on track.

With Toro Rosso fighting near the bottom half of the top ten and McLaren-Honda gradually closing in on the points-paying positions, there are increasing chances to see the F1 debutant square off again with the double-world champion he grew up admiring.

“I don’t know if I will fight him on track or not (this Sunday),” said Sainz. “I just know I fought him in Bahrain. You don’t realise it’s Fernando, you just see a McLaren and try to beat him.

“Out of the track it’s different. He’s the man. He’s Fernando, and we have a good relationship. Inside the track everyone is a competitor. If we race in a go-kart race, for charity or something, you try to win and to beat everyone. Here its the same.

This weekend’s race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will also bears a special significance for Sainz, as it marks the ten-year anniversary of his maiden visit to an F1 event.

“I remember being here 10 years ago for my first grand prix when I came to watch, getting into these huge hospitalities, meeting some important people, meeting my idol here on my left, Fernando, for the first time, when he was in Renault.

“That was a big shock for me and an amazing experience and probably thanks to that it’s where I take the decision that I really wanted to be a Formula One driver one day.”

Click here for a look at the revised McLaren-Honda MP4-30 livery

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