Carlos Sainz Jr. has set no firm targets for himself or his new team, McLaren, going into the 2019 Formula 1 season.
“It’s no fixed goals at the moment,” said the 24-year-old Spaniard. “Let’s see where the others are when we get to the Barcelona test and qualifying in Australia, and then let’s start setting goals and potential results.”
Sainz replaces fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso after the two-time world champion retired from F1 at the 2018 season’s close. McLaren struggled during the year, finishing P6 in the Constructors’ Championship.
McLaren’s progression has become Sainz’s primary focus. “I think the whole thing, as a goal, is improve from last year. We want to start to see some progress from where we were.”
The Spaniard also expressed his determination to maintain momentum. “I would say just see where the car qualifies in Melbourne. And from then onwards if the car is to be P8, I would like to be P8 in every race or improve from P8. If the car is to be P14, we will have to fight from P14 and try to improve from there.”
Sainz scored 53 points as a Renault driver last season, finishing a high of P5 in Baku. He will partner British rookie Lando Norris at McLaren in 2019.