Carlos Sainz to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren | CNN

Carlos Sainz to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren

2 minute read
Updated 11:26 AM EDT, Thu August 16, 2018
Lewis Hamilton sprays second-placed Sebastian Vettel with champagne after winning the Abu Dhabi season-ending race, 11th of his title winning season.
Lewis Hamilton sprays second-placed Sebastian Vettel with champagne after winning the Abu Dhabi season-ending race, 11th of his title winning season.
Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his 10th win of the season as he takes the Brazilian GP ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his 10th win of the season as he takes the Brazilian GP ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.
Lars Baron/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton savors the moment after clinching his fifth F1 world title with fourth place behind Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton savors the moment after clinching his fifth F1 world title with fourth place behind Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen is flanked by second-placed Max Verstappen (far left) and Lewis Hamilton, who finished third after a thrilling US Grand Prix. Hamilton increased his title lead to 70 points over Sebastian Vettel ahead of the final three rounds of the championship.
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen is flanked by second-placed Max Verstappen (far left) and Lewis Hamilton, who finished third after a thrilling US Grand Prix. Hamilton increased his title lead to 70 points over Sebastian Vettel ahead of the final three rounds of the championship.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Race winner Lewis Hamilton had plenty to celebrate after claiming victory in the Japanese GP at Suzuka to lead the world championship by 67 points with four rounds remaining.
Race winner Lewis Hamilton had plenty to celebrate after claiming victory in the Japanese GP at Suzuka to lead the world championship by 67 points with four rounds remaining.
Charles Coates/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton (no 44) overtook fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas under team orders on his way to a decisive victory in the 2018 F1 title race as he extended his advantage over Sebastian Vettel to 50 points.
Lewis Hamilton (no 44) overtook fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas under team orders on his way to a decisive victory in the 2018 F1 title race as he extended his advantage over Sebastian Vettel to 50 points.
Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton led from pole position in his famous No.44 Mercedes and took his seventh victory of the season on the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.
Lewis Hamilton led from pole position in his famous No.44 Mercedes and took his seventh victory of the season on the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.
Clive Mason/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Hamilton stormed to a record-equalling fifth Italian Grand Prix victory -- overtaking both Ferraris in the process.
Hamilton stormed to a record-equalling fifth Italian Grand Prix victory -- overtaking both Ferraris in the process.
Will Taylor-Medhurst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring near Budapest to extend his title lead over Sebastian Vettel to 24 points.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring near Budapest to extend his title lead over Sebastian Vettel to 24 points.
ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton celebrates an extraordinary comeback win at the German Grand Prix to give him a 17-point championship lead as title rival Sebastian Vettel crashed out
Hamilton celebrates an extraordinary comeback win at the German Grand Prix to give him a 17-point championship lead as title rival Sebastian Vettel crashed out
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dutch driver Max Verstappen claims a dramatic victory at the home of Red Bull Racing. But how does that impact the Drivers' Championship?
Dutch driver Max Verstappen claims a dramatic victory at the home of Red Bull Racing. But how does that impact the Drivers' Championship?
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Sebastian Vettel took full advantage of a bizarre incident involving both cars of the American-owned Haas team to claim the opening race of the 2018 Formula One season in Australia.
Melbourne, Australia -- 'Lucky' Vettel wins season opener —
Sebastian Vettel took full advantage of a bizarre incident involving both cars of the American-owned Haas team to claim the opening race of the 2018 Formula One season in Australia.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Vettel -- 25 points<br />Hamilton -- 18 points<br />Raikonnen -- 15 points
Drivers' title race after round 1 —
Vettel -- 25 points
Hamilton -- 18 points
Raikonnen -- 15 points
Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Vettel won for the second time in as many races at the Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Italian team's victory was overshadowed after one of its mechanics suffered a broken leg when he was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car during a pit stop.
Sakhir, Bahrain -- Ferrari win soured by injured mechanic —
Vettel won for the second time in as many races at the Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Italian team's victory was overshadowed after one of its mechanics suffered a broken leg when he was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car during a pit stop.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Vettel -- 50 points<br />Hamilton -- 33 points<br />Bottas -- 22 points
Drivers' title race after round 2 —
Vettel -- 50 points
Hamilton -- 33 points
Bottas -- 22 points
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
An inspired Daniel Ricciardo claimed a remarkable and unexpected victory from sixth on the grid after a tactical masterstroke by his Red Bull team in Shanghai, with furious championship leader Vettel back in eighth place.
Shanghai, China —
An inspired Daniel Ricciardo claimed a remarkable and unexpected victory from sixth on the grid after a tactical masterstroke by his Red Bull team in Shanghai, with furious championship leader Vettel back in eighth place.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Vettel -- 54 points<br />Hamilton -- 45 points<br />Bottas -- 40 points
Drivers' title race after round 3 —
Vettel -- 54 points
Hamilton -- 45 points
Bottas -- 40 points
Charles Coates/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton was the chief beneficiary of a late puncture suffered by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas as he clinched his first win of the season at April's action-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Baku, Azerbaijan -- Red Bull drivers shockingly crash as Hamilton triumphs —
Lewis Hamilton was the chief beneficiary of a late puncture suffered by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas as he clinched his first win of the season at April's action-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 70 points<br />Vettel -- 66 points <br />Raikkonen -- 48 points<br />
Drivers' title race after round 4 —
Hamilton -- 70 points
Vettel -- 66 points
Raikkonen -- 48 points
GREG BAKER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
After his unlikely victory in Azerbaijan, it was a second straight win for Hamilton as he bids for a fifth world championship -- and it could not have been more comfortable.
Barcelona, Spain -- Lewis Hamilton leads Mercedes one-two —
After his unlikely victory in Azerbaijan, it was a second straight win for Hamilton as he bids for a fifth world championship -- and it could not have been more comfortable.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 95 points<br />Vettel -- 78 points<br />Bottas -- 57 points
Drivers' title race after round 5 —
Hamilton -- 95 points
Vettel -- 78 points
Bottas -- 57 points
Charles Coates/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Ricciardo nursed his ailing Red Bull to a remarkable victory on the streets of Monte Carlo and with it made up for his 2016 heartbreak on the same circuit.
Monaco -- Redemption for Ricciardo —
Ricciardo nursed his ailing Red Bull to a remarkable victory on the streets of Monte Carlo and with it made up for his 2016 heartbreak on the same circuit.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 110 points<br />Vettel -- 96 points<br />Ricciardo -- 72 points
Drivers' title race after round 6 —
Hamilton -- 110 points
Vettel -- 96 points
Ricciardo -- 72 points
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Sebastian Vettel's 50th career victory saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the top of the championship standings to cap an emotional day for the Ferrari team.
Canada -- Vettel wins to take title initiative —
Sebastian Vettel's 50th career victory saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the top of the championship standings to cap an emotional day for the Ferrari team.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Vettel -- 121 points<br />Hamilton -- 120 points<br />Bottas -- 86 points
Drivers' title race after round 7 —
Vettel -- 121 points
Hamilton -- 120 points
Bottas -- 86 points
Charles Coates/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Briton Lewis Hamilton won the first French Grand Prix since 2008.<br />The Mercedes driver avoided the worst of a dramatic start that saw title rival Sebastian Vettel clip Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers sustained damage in the collision, forcing them to pit early them and fall to the back of the grid.
France -- Hamilton back in the groove —
Briton Lewis Hamilton won the first French Grand Prix since 2008.
The Mercedes driver avoided the worst of a dramatic start that saw title rival Sebastian Vettel clip Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers sustained damage in the collision, forcing them to pit early them and fall to the back of the grid.
GERARD JULIEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 145 points<br />Vettel -- 131 points<br />Ricciardo -- 96 points
Drivers' title race after round 8 —
Hamilton -- 145 points
Vettel -- 131 points
Ricciardo -- 96 points
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix as hitherto championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, were forced to retire.
Austria -- Verstappen wins after Mercedes meltdown —
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix as hitherto championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, were forced to retire.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Vettel - 146 points<br />Hamilton - 145 points<br />Raikkonen - 101 points
Drivers' title race after round 9 —
Vettel - 146 points
Hamilton - 145 points
Raikkonen - 101 points
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Home favorite Lewis Hamilton was denied a sixth victory at the British Grand Prix as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took control of the championship at Silverstone
Britain -- Vettel wins despite Hamilton fightback —
Home favorite Lewis Hamilton was denied a sixth victory at the British Grand Prix as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took control of the championship at Silverstone
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Vettel - 171Hamilton - 163Raikkonen - 116
Drivers' title race after round 10 —
Vettel - 171Hamilton - 163Raikkonen - 116
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton fought back from 14th on the grid to claim an astonishing victory as Vettel crashed out at Hockenheim.
Germany -- Advantage Hamilton as Vettel crashes out —
Hamilton fought back from 14th on the grid to claim an astonishing victory as Vettel crashed out at Hockenheim.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton - 188<br />Vettel - 171<br />Raikkonen - 131
Drivers' title race after round 11 —
Hamilton - 188
Vettel - 171
Raikkonen - 131
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hamilton went into F1's summer break with a season-high 24-point advantage in the title race over Vettel after winning at the Hungaroring.
Hungary -- Hamilton extends title lead with 'beautiful' win —
Hamilton went into F1's summer break with a season-high 24-point advantage in the title race over Vettel after winning at the Hungaroring.
Laszlo Balogh/AP
Hamilton -- 213 points<br />Vettel -- 189 points<br />Raikkonen -- 146 points
Drivers' title race after round 11 —
Hamilton -- 213 points
Vettel -- 189 points
Raikkonen -- 146 points
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Fernando Alonso's car was launched over the top of Charles Leclerc on the opening corner of the Belgian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel went on to win at Spa to cut Lewis Hamilton's lead at the top of the Driver Standings to 17 points.
Belgium -- Vettel wins after spectacular crash —
Fernando Alonso's car was launched over the top of Charles Leclerc on the opening corner of the Belgian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel went on to win at Spa to cut Lewis Hamilton's lead at the top of the Driver Standings to 17 points.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hamilton -- 231Vettel -- 214Raikkonen - 146
Drivers' title race after round 12 —
Hamilton -- 231Vettel -- 214Raikkonen - 146
Dan Mullan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Ferrari's sea of fans -- the 'Tifosi' -- hold up a flag making fun of Lewis Hamilton, but he has the last laugh, winning the Italian Grand Prix for the fifth time
Ferrari's sea of fans -- the 'Tifosi' -- hold up a flag making fun of Lewis Hamilton, but he has the last laugh, winning the Italian Grand Prix for the fifth time
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The story of the 2018 F1 season so far

Story highlights

Sainz to join McLaren from Renault

Will replace retiring Alonso in 2019

CNN  — 

Spanish Formula One driver Carlos Sainz will join McLaren from Renault next season to replace countryman Fernando Alonso, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

Sainz started his F1 career with Toro Rosso in 2015, before moving to Renault midway through the 2017 season.

He’s currently 11th in the drivers standings after 12 races, his best result a fifth place finish in Azerbaijan in April.

“I’ve been a McLaren fan for as long as I can remember,” said 23-year-old Sainz in a statement.

“It’s a great name in the sport with an incredible heritage, and the list of drivers that have raced for McLaren over the years are among the heroes of Formula One.

“Fernando is of course one of them, so it’s particularly special that I’ll be taking his seat as part of the next generation of Spanish racing drivers behind the wheel of a McLaren.”

carlos sainz jr my first car
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READ: Spanish star Fernando Alonso to leave Formula One

READ: Daniel Ricciardo to join Renault from Red Bull

Alonso announced Tuesday that he would be leaving F1 at the end of a storied career that’s included two world titles and 32 race wins.

The multi-year deal to replace the Spaniard will see Sainz team up with Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne to form one of the youngest pairings on the grid.

“Carlos brings with him the perfect blend of youth and experience,” said McLaren boss Zak Brown.

“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 One and with our partner Renault.

“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 One.”

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 10: Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM11 Mercedes on track during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 10, 2018 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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Sainz, whose father was a distinguished rally driver, was previously contracted to Red Bull and has been on loan at Renault for the past year.

Filling the gap Sainz has left at Renault will be Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who announced two weeks ago that he will be leaving Red Bull at the end of the season.