Carlos Sainz Jr. is hopeful that he will be permitted to test for 2019 team McLaren at next month’s post-season running in Abu Dhabi.
Formula 1 teams will stay on for two days of running at the Yas Marina Circuit, with the gathering officially designated as a tyre test, enabling drivers to sample Pirelli’s 2019 rubber.
Sainz Jr.’s current team, Renault, had hoped to field its 2019 signing Daniel Ricciardo, but Red Bull has not allowed the Australian to be released early from his contract.
Sainz Jr., meanwhile, is to switch to McLaren, where he will link up with rookie Lando Norris, and he is hopeful he will be allowed to sample the MCL33.
“It’s a good opportunity to try this year’s car – obviously not next year’s car which is not the same,” he said.
“I think my management and company are looking into whether it’s possible or not but at the moment it’s not decided yet or nothing has been clarified.”
Sainz Jr. explained that he has been prepping for his switch to McLaren, but was keen to emphasise that his focus remains on ending his Renault career on a positive note.
“There has been some organisation of how to plan the winter, but nothing to do with performance or… engineering talking, let’s put it like that,” he said.
“I think I’m fully committed to this project, to the Renault, until the end of the year – until, really, Sunday afternoon after Abu Dhabi – and I think my results in the second half of the season are proving it.
“We are scoring a lot of points, I think it’s 17 points since Hungary, and finally my season is starting to come together.
“I’m very pleased, very happy with how things are going here and I really want to finish my season with Renault, my time with Renault, on a high, like we are doing now.”
