Toro Rosso racer Carlos Sainz Jr. says his “one and only target” is to be a Red Bull Formula 1 driver in the future.
It follows on from his earlier comments ahead of the Austrian GP, where he admitted a fourth season at Toro Rosso would be “unlikely” if he was not promoted to a Red Bull seat.
However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner quickly reacted, saying Sainz’s option on his contract had been exercised and the Spaniard will be at Toro Rosso next season.
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor said he was “a little bit confused” after his comments, and Sainz later claimed his comments had been blown out of proportion.
Speaking to the Formula 1 website ahead of the F1 summer break, Sainz explained his sole focus is a Red Bull seat.
“It is my one and only target to be a Red Bull driver in the future,” he said. “That is what I want – and that is what I have said a hundred times before.
“And if one answer said in the heat of the moment is spinning out of control – that is just 'modern times'.”
Sainz returned to the points in Hungary after a disappointing British GP, where he retired on the first lap after a clash with his team-mate Daniil Kvyat.
He said it is a “situation that can happen once in a lifetime”, but while it was a “relationship killer” immediately afterwards, both Sainz and Kvyat have moved on:
“In that very moment, it sure was a 'killer'. But time smooths things – the classic saying that time is a great healer.
“After one or two weeks, you are able to turn the page and stop thinking about it… at least it should work that way.
“We are both mature enough to be able to turn the page. We know each other very well and for many years – we had similar situations in lower categories. We move on to new shores.”
