Sainz did not like feeling 'against' Red Bull chiefs over F1 future
Carlos Sainz Jr says he did not enjoy feeling "against" Red Bull chiefs Christian Horner and Helmut Marko during the recent confusion over his future in Formula 1
Sainz said ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull's home race - that he did not expect to stay at Toro Rosso for a fourth year, which prompted Marko to suggest the Spaniard should not "bite the hand that feeds you".
Horner subsequently revealed Red Bull had decided to take up its contractual option on Sainz for 2018, keeping him at its second team, and Sainz quickly cleared the air with his bosses to move on from the incident.
However, speaking to Formula 1.com heading into F1's summer break, Sainz said his initial comments were a simple case of "sheer ambition".
"I have my opinion and I said it in that very moment," he said. "Maybe I could have used a different wording.
"It is not something that I enjoyed, seeing Helmut and Christian going against me, but it sometimes happens in a Formula 1 career.
"From my side there is nothing else than sheer ambition, and sometimes in the heat of ambition you say things.
"But that is me. I have targets and objectives. It should be over - so turn the page."
While Horner has declared current Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen off limits to enquiries from other teams, he said if a "significant" offer was made for Sainz while he was under contract, it would be considered.
However, Sainz says his sole focus remains trying to get a promotion to Red Bull's senior team.
"It is my one and only target to be a Red Bull driver in the future," he added.
"That is what I want, and that is what I have said a hundred times before.
"And if one answer said in the heat of the moment is spinning out of control - that is just modern times."
Previous article
McLaren 'will do everything' to keep Fernando Alonso for F1 2018
Next article
Mercedes needs to 'back a horse' in F1 title race - Red Bull boss
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
Why Ricciardo was set for Monza F1 triumph even without Verstappen/Hamilton crash
The clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was the major flashpoint the 2021 Italian Grand Prix will be remembered for. Yet by this point, race leader Daniel Ricciardo had already done the hard work that would put him in position to end his and McLaren's lengthy win droughts, on a memorable afternoon in Monza
