Sainz: F1 future 'the least of my concerns'

Carlos Sainz Jr. says his future in Formula 1 beyond the end of this season is currently "the least of my concerns" as he prepares for his first full year with the Renault factory team.

Sainz joined Renault for the final four races of last season on loan from Red Bull, having spent three years racing with the energy drink giant's F1 B-team, Toro Rosso, and will continue to race for the French manufacturer through 2018.

Sainz is already being linked with a possible recall to the Red Bull fold in 2019 should Daniel Ricciardo leave its senior F1 team at the end of the season, but the Spaniard is staying relaxed about any future plans.

"In this situation, my head is always on the present. My future at the moment is the least of my concerns," Sainz said.

"I know if I have a good year, a lot of opportunities will come, so it is better to focus on the present than ahead. So I will focus on my best for Renault because this is what they deserve.

"It is impossible to know what the future will bring and what will happen at the first race, having not tried the new car, so it is all about focusing on the present."

Sainz will get his first extended run in Renault's new F1 car, the R.S.18, next week in Barcelona, and he is hopeful that the team can continue the positive momentum it built at the end of last year.

"It is always difficult but I think the team has progressed during the winter," Sainz said.

"I don’t know how much, but I am convinced the team has done great steps to move forward this year.

"We now depend on the others and to know how they have done, but we’re convinced we’ve made a step forward."