McLaren Racing has confirmed the retention of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris for another F1 season in 2020.
Amidst a solid 2019 F1 season where it sits fourth in the constructors’ championship with 52 points, about 20 ahead of Renault, McLaren has announced the retention of its current driver pairing with Sainz and Norris remaining with them for 2020.
Both joined the team in 2019 with Sainz leaving the Red Bull stable and coming in from a season and a half at Renault, while Norris – a McLaren junior – graduated to F1 after a fruitful FIA Formula 2 Championship season with Carlin.
They have done well so far with Sainz in seventh with 30 points and Norris eighth with 22 to his name. “Today’s announcement provides the team with the continuity to keep pushing forward,” said new McLaren team principal, Andreas Seidl.
“The performance of both Carlos and Lando have been a key part of the team’s progress. Their feedback has enabled our engineers to develop the MCL34 and look ahead to the MCL35. Carlos has played a key role in developing the car using his experience.
“While Lando has got up to speed with the demands of F1 incredibly quickly and is growing in confidence every weekend. This is welcome news for the whole McLaren team and we look forward to continuing our partnership together.”
McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown added: “I’m delighted we’re able to announce our 2020 driver line-up ahead of the team’s home race at the British Grand Prix this weekend. Both Carlos and Lando are proving themselves as racers and are integral to our path to recovery.
“They have made a real contribution to the positive momentum and morale within the team, both at the track and back at the factory. The reception they’ve received from our fans has been outstanding and they are superb ambassadors for the McLaren brand, personifying our Fearlessly Forward mentality.”
The retention is not a surprise as the pair has done well together so far this year and things were looking unlikely for Fernando Alonso anyways. The team did sign Sergey Sirotkin as reserve but that is only a part-time deal with Renault for simulator work.
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