Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost said that Carlos Sainz never stood a chance of replacing retired world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes.
Upon the German driver's shock decision to walk away from Formula 1, speculation ramped up about who would replace him alongside Lewis Hamilton in the Silver Arrows team.
Carlos Sainz was mentioned as figuring on Toto Wolff's short list of potential drivers, but Franz Tost sets the record straight.
"Ha, I was not worried because he has a Red Bull contract," Tost said in an interview with the official F1 website.
"Do I think he would be good enough to survive alongside Hamilton? Yes. Carlos is a very skilled driver who on a couple of occasions was faster than Max (Verstappen).
"Carlos has a very high natural speed. He will shine if we are able to give him the right car."
Tost believes the Faenza-based outfit has all the right ingredients to enjoy a good season, and he's hoping his drivers - Sainz and Dany Kvyat - will have the opportunity tp perform to the best of their ability.
"I want them to compete well," said the Austrian.
"And it is up to us to make it happen because Carlos and Daniil have huge potential."
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