Carlos Sainz Jr. linked to surprise McLaren Formula 1 seat bid
Carlos Sainz Jr., fresh from his World Series title, is now rumoured to be under consideration for a McLaren Formula 1 seat for 2015, according to several media reports.
Carlos Sainz Jr. has emerged as an unexpected candidate for a 2015 McLaren Formula 1 seat, according to several media reports circulating in mid-November 2014. The speculation follows his recent success in clinching the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title.
The suggestion that Sainz Jr. could join McLaren came as a surprise, given the team's established shortlist and the expectation that the main contenders for the 2015 drive were Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen. The rumour was reported by several motorsport publications and quickly spread across online forums, including Safety Car and F1aldia, where fans discussed the possibility that Sainz Jr. might be in line for either a race or third driver role.
Sainz Jr.'s World Series triumph had already drawn attention from Formula 1 teams, but a direct link to McLaren marked a step up from previous speculation, which had more commonly associated him with Red Bull's junior teams. The timing of the rumour coincided with uncertainty over McLaren's final driver line-up for 2015, as the team delayed its announcement and weighed its options.
How Sainz Jr. fits into McLaren's 2015 driver puzzle
At the time, McLaren was in the midst of a protracted decision over its 2015 line-up, with Button and Magnussen waiting on the outcome and Alonso widely expected to return. The addition of Sainz Jr. to the rumoured candidates was unexpected, especially given his lack of Formula 1 race experience. However, his championship win in a major feeder series made him a credible outsider, particularly for a reserve or development role.
Previous reports had not linked Sainz Jr. directly to McLaren, with his career path more closely tied to Red Bull's driver programme. The 2015 McLaren seat ultimately went to Jenson Button, with Kevin Magnussen retained as reserve, but the rumour highlighted the growing recognition of Sainz Jr.'s talent among top teams.
For more on how Formula 1 teams weigh up their driver line-ups, seeBoullier says Kubica a contender for Lotus F1 seat in 2014.
