28 novembre 2014
Formula Renault 3.5 Series Champion, Carlos Sainz to Formula 1 in 2015
After winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship last month, Carlos Sainz will join the motor racing elite in 2015. Convinced by his dominance in the premier category of the World Series by Renault, in which he became the youngest champion to date and his performance in testing with Red Bull, Scuderia Toro Rosso has signed the 20-year old Spaniard.
Following a brilliant stint in karting under the guidance of his father and twice World Rally Champion, Carlos Sainz began his open-wheel career in 2010 under the patronage of the Red Bull Junior Team. By the end of the year, he made his Formula Renault 2.0 with flying colors, finishing on the podium in his first start.
With a program concentrated on Formula Renault 2.0, the training series of champions put in place by Renault Sport Technologies ; he dominated the North European Cup, and then battled with Robin Frijns for the title in the Eurocup.
Placed in Formula 3 and in the GP3 Series by Helmut Marko to continue his progression in the sport, the Spaniard returned to the World Series by Renault during the 2013 season. With the Zeta Corse team, he turned heads in claiming a spot on row two in the streets of Monaco in his first qualifying session in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. In the aftermath, he got his first taste of F1 power at Silverstone.
Carlos Sainz joined DAMS in 2014 and was regularly among the quickest during winter testing before confirming his status as favorite at the first meeting at Monza. Dominating the opening rounds, he resisted with style the return of Roberto Merhi then secured the title late in the season, taking both wins at the Circuit Paul Ricard round, establishing a new category record with seven victories in a season.
Jean-Pascal Dauce, Competition Director, Renault Sport Technologies : “During his test with Infiniti Red Bull Racing at Abu Dhabi, which was reward for his title in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Carlos made a strong impression and demonstrated the quality of the feeder series proposed by Renault Sport Technologies. He is now preparing to make his debut in motor racing’s most prestigious championship with Scuderia Toro Rosso, as did Sebastien Vettel. He also adds his name to the list of drivers who have made the jump from the Formula Renault 3.5 Series to F1 : Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, Jules Bianchi, Jean-Eric Vergne, Robert Kubica, Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Vettel. We are very proud.”
