Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz addressed the rumors of the courting of his services by Renault in Malaysia today, but reaffirmed his commitment to present employer Red Bull.
It is believed that Renault approached Sainz with an offer to join the French squad in 2017, but Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost made clear earlier this week that such a prospect appeared highly unlikely given Red Bull's vested interest in the Spanish driver.
Sainz, who neither fully denied or confirmed the rumors, said that he was flattered by the interest.
"If there is some discussion going on, then there has been some interest and contacts, which for me is an honour that a manufacturer team is worried about me and wants to know my contractual situation," Sainz explained.
"As you know, more or less what is going on with Red Bull they guide your career, they paid for 5 years of my junior series, which is millions of euros and I perfectly understand they don’t want to let me go having spent so much money on me and me being in the best moment of my career and then just let me go.
Sainz said his objective in the short term was performing to the best of his ability in the last six races of the season while reiterating his longer term ambition of winning the world championship.
"I don’t want to think about my future when there are 6 important races coming, and because it is not my job to be involved but it is more up to Helmut Marko and my management to sort out that stuff.
"At the moment I have full trust in Toro Rosso that they are going to produce a good chassis for next year because if there was any doubt, Singapore proved Toro Rosso is probably the third or fourth best chassis on the grid.
"As for Renault, I don’t have enough information that they are going to perform next year or if it is going to take 2 years or 3 years.
"My main target and objective is to be fighting for the world championship in 2018 and hopefully that will be with Red Bull.
"That is my main target and I know it is very difficult but the only thing I want is for that to happen and I need to find the shortest way to that point."
F1i Classic: Sepang 2001 - Ferrari pulls off a masterstroke
F1i's Eric Silbermann asks what Nico Rosberg has to do to get the credit he deserves
From the cockpit: Felipe Nasr on lights and shadows in Singapore
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: Nicolas Carpentiers checks out the latest innovations seen in Singapore
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…
Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…
Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…
Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…
Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…
Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…