Confirmed: Carlos Sainz Jr. joins McLaren for 2019 season on a multi-year deal

It was confirmed this afternoon (16/8/18), that Renault driver Carlos Sainz, Jr. has signed a multi-year deal to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren from the 2019 season.



Alonso announced on Tuesday that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the year.



Sainz, Jr. is currently on loan at Renault from Red Bull and said it was a "childhood dream" to join McLaren.

So far this season Sainz, Jr. sits elventh in the Drivers' Standings with thirty points, with his best race finish of fifth in Baku back in April.

In my opinion, this is not a big surprise this news happen. It has been strongly rumoured since the German Grand Prix that Sainz, Jr. could be off to Mclaren. No word who will be Sainz's team-mate at McLaren next season, it could be either current McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne or Mclaren reserve driver and F2 driver Lando Norris. With the Sainz, Jr. off to McLaren next season, it will be a strong possibility that Pierre Gasly will replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull next season.



Its great news for the McLaren team as they have got a talented Grand Prix driver in Carlos Sainz, Jr..