McLaren new recruit Carlos Sainz believes his team must fear everyone single one of its midfield opponents in 2019.
This year, Sainz helped Renault capture the honorary title of 'best of the rest', the French outfit finishing fourth in the Constructors' standings behind F1's untouchable Mercedes-Ferrari-Red Bull trio.
Renault was given a run for its money however by Haas in 2018, the US outfit outpacing McLaren, Force India and the massively improved Sauber team, while Toro Rosso and Williams rounded off the teams' championship.
Sainz praised Sauber in particular for its progress and considered the Swiss squad a case study of what could be expected in 2019.
"If they are actually now the strongest midfield team, I think we should all fear them," Sainz Jr. said. "But next year we should fear everyone.
"You think about Sauber, but then you think about Force India with a bit more budget, what they could be capable of. You think about Renault, what they are able to do.
"You think about Haas, if they keep getting the amount of Ferrari parts that they are getting and Ferrari keeps dominating [engine development], they should be also very strong.
"You think about McLaren with a whole new project and wanting to invest and wanting to go back to P4 in the championship after a difficult year.
"You think about all these teams, and you think anyone could lead the midfield battle next year."
While a battle royal can indeed be expected next season between F1's midfield contenders, Sainz' real wish is for the pack to edge closer to the front-runners.
"What I really hope is that the space between midfield and the top teams gets a bit more close, and we have a bit more exciting racing.
"Then who comes out on top, we will see. It’s about the one who gets the new regs better."
The 24-year-old is putting his faith in McLaren's future, banking on a turnaround at the Woking team. But the Spaniard underscored the necessity for engine partner Renault to also up its game.
"I need Renault next year, for them to think about the engine and really make a step," he said.
"If not, Mercedes and Ferrari, even Honda, they’re going to keep evolving and creating this gap which is very difficult to cut back.
"It’s difficult to say, but I really hope this situation starts getting a bit better and we have a closer field."
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