Sainz Sr. expects his son to take 'step forward' this season

Former World Rally Championship champion Carlos Sainz Sr. has admitted that he and his son, Carlos Sainz Jr., are expecting the young Renault driver to take a 'step forward' in his development this season with the French manufacturer before returning to his parent team, Red Bull.

Sainz Jr featured for Toro Rosso between 2015 and 2017, but will race for Renault this season after making the move during the campaign last year, due to the partnership with Red Bull which sees them provide engine parts for the team of the energy drinks producer.

The 23-year-old has not recorded any race wins or podium places as of yet in his short career, but his father is expecting a 'step forward' n his development in 2018.

"He is preparing for the season with a lot of enthusiasm," 55-year-old Sainz Sr. told EFE news about his son's pre-season.

"The tests start next week, the Renault was presented this week, he's very excited and those of us who are with him are too. From what he says, he is confident that they will take a step forward.

Renault took on Sainz Jr. as a driver before the United States Grand Prix last season, and impressed in his few races before the end of the racing schedule.

He admits himself that he does not know where Renault will end up in the constructor rankings, but the atmosphere behind the scenes in his adopted team remains a positive one.

"I have the impression of building a team around me," Sainz Jr. told L'Equipe.

"We have a good chance of doing great things together. The goal is to get closer to the best teams, but it's impossible to say exactly where we will be.

"We're not thinking so much in terms of championship position but rather pure performance."