McLaren replace Alonso with Sainz

McLaren have confirmed the signing of Carlos Sainz Jr on a "multi-year" deal as they plot a course through a future without Fernando Alonso in the team. Sainz's switch was confirmed on Thursday, with speculation having pointed towards a likely deal for several months.

The move not only fills a seat at McLaren but also effectively confirms Pierre Gasly's promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, with team principal Christian Horner having said the pair were under consideration to replace Daniel Ricciardo.

When Ricciardo signed for Renault, Sainz may have feared for his future in F1, but he will remain on the grid for a fifth year and possibly beyond.

Reports had suggested ahead of the summer break that Sainz could partner his idol Alonso in 2019, but he will instead serve as his fellow Spaniard's replacement after the two-time world champion confirmed his departure from F1 earlier in the week.

Extremely happy and proud to announce that I will be joining the @McLarenF1 family next year. Dream come true to drive for such a legendary team! pic.twitter.com/7pjSTNt6UG — Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) August 16, 2018

McLaren CEO Zak Brown said: "We're incredibly excited to have Carlos join us as a McLaren driver.

"We've been assessing him for some time now and rate him very highly among the next generation of young talent emerging through the ranks in Formula 1.

"Carlos brings with him the perfect blend of youth and experience. Although he's just 23, he'll be starting his fifth season in the sport with us and will bring with him a huge amount of racing experience, both in Formula 1 and with our partner Renault.

"It's no secret that Carlos is a huge admirer of Fernando's, and it's fitting that he will be stepping into his seat as a Spaniard with a legendary name in motorsport. We think he'll be a great fit for McLaren and we're really excited to have him join us from next season and beyond."

McLaren's statement said the team's "will communicate its full driver line-up for the 2019 season in due course" with Stoffel Vandoorne and Lando Norris likely in competition for the remaining seat.

Brown has previously said that he will not consider two "young" drivers in the team next season as McLaren continue a rebuilding job in an effort to get back in the fight for honours.

Despite Sainz being just 23, Brown's comments about his experience, forged with Toro Rosso and Renault in F1 since 2015, could be telling, with Vandoorne struggling to justify his junior-category hype in a 2018 season that has seen him out-qualified by Alonso in every race this year.