Sainz ready for future with Renault, if Red Bull agrees

Carlos Sainz is enjoying working and racing with Renault, and believes his future could be with the promising French outfit rather than with Red Bull.

After almost a three-year stint with Toro Rosso where he served his F1 apprenticeship, the Spaniard took a step up the ladder when Red Bull agreed to loan its driver to the works Renault outfit for the last four races of 2017 and for the entire 2018 season.

Sainz therefore remains contracted to the energy drinks company and could potentially be called back into the bull pen next year.

But the 23-year-old appreciates his current working environment and casts a positive view on the prospects of a team that is slowly but surely growing stronger.

"Definitely the future could be with Renault and I'm ready for it if it comes," Sainz told Sky F1's Simon Lazenby.

"I'm loving it, especially because the team is just moving forward. Investment is coming, all the mechanics and engineers just feel this vibe."

Mercedes and Wolff keeping a watchful eye on Sainz

Renault advisor and four-time world champion Alain Prost, who pushed the French manufacturer to secure the services of Sainz, believes the team made the right decision.

Pairing the Spaniard with Nico Hulkenberg has brought Renault one of the most solid and consistent driver lineups on the grid.

The German driver has scored points in every race so far this year while Sainz only missed out on a top-ten finish in Bahrain.

"We knew that it was a risk [taking Sainz]," said Prost. "But it's better to take this kind of risk.

"It's important for the team to make a progression. It was a decision that was good for the team and good for Nico because you can see that it made his level even higher now."

In the Constructors' standings, Renault is currently fifth behind the top three out of reach front-runner, and three points adrift from mid-field rival McLaren.

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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.