Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has moved to dismiss talks of Toro Rosso ace Carlos Sainz moving across to Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg in 2017.
The 2016 world champion shocked the Formula One community when announcing his retirement from the sport five days after sealing this year's crown in a tension-filled season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Among the drivers that have been tipped to partner Lewis Hamilton, Sainz’ name has surfaced in recent days following a very strong campaign from the Spaniard, whose promotion opportunities at Red Bull appear limited with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen locked in through 2018.
“Why would we do that [let him go to Mercedes]? Carlos has done a great job. He is a Red Bull driver,” Horner told the BBC.
“We have invested in him to get him into F1 and they are all on long-term contracts so it wouldn't make any sense to feed one of your main opponents with one of your assets.
"They will know the contractual situations of the drivers they are involved with but their choices are pretty limited.”
Sainz was also approached by Renault during the season but the French manufacturer, which will power both Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2017, was already met by a firm refusal from Horner.
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