Sainz in it for the long haul at McLaren

©WRI

40

Carlos Sainz was given a two-year contract by McLaren, but the Spaniard hopes to piggyback on the team's long-term growth and hopefully its resurgence.

Sainz has moved from Renault - Formula 1's top midfield contender - to Woking, banking on a turnaround of Grand Prix racing's second most successful team behind Ferrari.

McLaren has undergone a transformation in the past year, restructuring its management and its technical department, the finality of which is still in the works.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently stated that the outfit's recovery process will follow a five-year plan, and Sainz hopes to be an integral part of his team's longer term foundation.

"I have a two-year agreement with the team, but as a driver and also a fan of McLaren, I want to see the team grow," Sainz told Spain's Marca.

"I want to do a good first year and a good start when it comes to integrating into the McLaren family, but my goal at the moment is to spend several years here.

"I will go from year to year, but I want to be one of the key pieces that will help McLaren get back to the top."

©McLaren

In the short term however, McLaren will have its work cut out for it in 2019.

Sainz is fully aware of the challenges that lie immediately ahead, but the 24-year-old, who will embark on his fifth season of F1, wants to see improvement.

"I want to see better results than in 2018," he added.

"McLaren is perfectly capable and that's why I'm here. It's the second most successful team in the history of F1.

"They have won before and hopefully they remember how.

"Little by little, in a medium-term project, they will start climbing the steps to the top."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.