Carlos Sainz now on McLaren's short list!

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Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz is a man in high demand, held in high esteem by almost every F1 team and short-listed by a few.

Sainz was approached by Renault last season but to no avail unfortunately as Red Bull refused to release the 22-year-old driver.

But now, reports from Italy are suggesting that McLaren could be taking a keen interest in Carlos Sainz who would be the team's first choice should Fernando Alonso decide to call it a day at the end of the summer when the two-time world champion will reveal his plans for 2018.

Obviously, Sainz remains under contract with Red Bull, and on a short and tight leash as the energy drink company's motor sport boss Helmut Marko recent confirmed.

No way out of watertight contracts for Red Bull drivers

But without an opportunity to step up to Red Bull Racing, given the team's commitment to Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, Sainz could be forced to linger another year at Toro Rosso, a state of affairs which would not do justice to his talent.

Red Bull would likely require that McLaren make it worth its while to release Sainz, but the prospect doesn't sound too unreasonable.

Obviously, a move to McLaren would also include an element of risk or uncertainty as the Woking-based outfit has yet to decide if it remains committed to Honda - currently an unlikely prospect - or not.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.