GPFans Vote: Should Sainz or Gasly replace Ricciardo?

We asked, and you answered... Over 55% of GPFans believe that Carlos Sainz Jr should be selected by Red Bull to replace the Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo, rather than Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly. According to reports in Spain, Gasly has in fact been selected as the man to fill Ricciardo's shoes.

The chances of a switch between Ricciardo and Sainz - on loan at Renault for 2018 - are hampered as the Spaniard is thought to have annoyed Red Bull bosses when he pushed through a move to the French squad at the tail-end of last season.

Sainz is reportedly contracted to Red Bull until September 30, but the team may well release him in favour of Gasly, opening up a move to McLaren.

However, 55% of almost 2,000 fans who responded to a GPFans poll believe that Sainz should reunited with former Toro Rosso colleague Max Verstappen at the senior team next season.

On plans for replacing Ricciardo, team principal Christian Horner said: "We will now continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us before deciding on which driver partners Max Verstappen for the 2019 season."

It is in contrast to Sebastian Vettel's departure from the team at the end of 2014, which was announced by Red Bull with Daniil Kvyat immediately confirmed as his replacement.

Fernando Alonso was cheekily suggested by many of you, although McLaren CEO Zak Brown is confident that he will not lose his prized possession - at least not to another F1 team.

"I think it's thrown a spanner in the works for some other teams but we've got a plan which we are executing against which Ricciardo's move doesn't impact," Brown told RACER.

"Red Bull is a great racing team but I think Fernando has got what he wants to do in the back of his mind. Never say never, but I don't think it changes anything in Fernando's world."