Carlos Sainz Jr gets 2017 F1 deal with Toro Rosso

The option has been taken up on Sainz's contract for next year, which means the Spaniard will drive for Toro Rosso in F1 for a third consecutive campaign.

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost recently remarked that he expected Sainz's future to be resolved shortly given growing interest in the 21-year-old Spaniard.

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said: "We took up his option earlier this week, so he is committed to Red Bull for an extra 12 months.

"As with all the drivers they are contracted to Red Bull Racing, and then we have the ability to place them where we want.

"Of course, he is currently at Toro Rosso which is where he will be next year.

"We had until the end of the year to take up the option, and we chose to do it early to put his mind at rest."

Horner does not anticipate Sainz being partnered with a new team-mate, suggesting Daniil Kvyat will be retained.

That is despite the problems encountered by the Russian earlier this season which led to his demotion as Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull.

"I'd be surprised [if Sainz did have a new team-mate]," added Horner.

"Dany is continuing his development, you can see he is finding his feet now, and there is not an obvious candidate knocking on the door at the moment that would warrant that seat."

Horner concedes it to be "a luxury issue" Red Bull has so many talented drivers available, and he added Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen will be on board until the end of 2018.

"It's great for us to have a driver development programme that is producing talent like Ricciardo, like Verstappen, Carlos as well, and of course Dany Kvyat," said Horner.

"We are not short of talent in our stable, and now we are set at Red Bull Racing for the next two and a half years."

SAINZ AT TORO ROSSO

Races: 27
Best result: 6th
Best qualifying: 5th
Points: 36