Marko: 'If needed, Sainz will replace one of our drivers'

40

Helmut Marko says that in the event that anything should happen at Red Bull Racing, the team would immediately call in Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz.

The comment suggests that Red Bull's expected third driver Pierre Gasly would not be called upon by the outfit in the event of a force majeure.

The fact that several teams courted Sainz last year and over the winter, such as Renault and Mercedes, has made Red Bull realize the outstanding value of the Spaniard who is kept in Toro Rosso's bull pen.

"We have a long term contract with Carlos and the situation at Mercedes shows how important it is to have reserve drivers," Marko told Spanish daily AS.

"Sainz is clearly our reserve driver in case anything happens at Red Bull Racing."

Sainz is a bull raring to go

While Marko believes the Faenza-based outfit should provide a car worthy of Sainz' talent, the Austrian insisted that his skills would not have been better served by Renault.

"Toro Rosso has to achieve better results so we have the target of fifth place for them in 2017.

"With a good designer like James Key they have the potential, and we see it as positive that both drivers - Sainz and Daniil Kvyat - are staying because that provides stability.

"They are a good mid-field team and what Carlos was offered by Renault was no better than that, or worse," Marko concluded.

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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.