Alonso, the perfect role model - Sainz

Carlos Sainz says that he was an acute observer of Fernando Alonso during his maiden Formula 1 year, closing watching the McLaren driver and double world champion, and deriving lessons from his very tough 2015 season.

"He's a very good role model", Sainz told Autopsort.

"He's now going through a tough moment in his career so it is interesting to see how he reacts, how he still switches on and how he deals with all these things.

"It's interesting to see, to observe, to learn. Last year was all about learning.

"Fernando doesn't need to advise me because I always look and observe him. He hasn't come to me and said, 'maybe try this or think about doing that'.

"Just by speaking to him in the drivers parade, as you see me always, or around in the paddock. I can learn from him. It's been a bit like a mirror, where to see yourself."

In spite of enduring his fair share of bad luck in 2015, when he was set for points on multiple occasions only to suffer from reliability issues, Sainz believes he acquitted himself well.

"It's not nice to see you don't have all the points you deserve on the table," he said.

"But in the end, the people's view that I care about - Red Bull and Toro Rosso - they know all the points I could have now, they have done the calculation.

"This is sport, sometimes you don't just depend on yourself. Hopefully in 2016, all this will be solved and we can go for it properly."

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Key dates for the 2016 F1 season