Sainz form showing why Ferrari 'went after him' for 2021 says McLaren boss Seidl

McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl says Carlos Sainz’s recent performances, including at last weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix, highlight why Ferrari have signed him for next season…

Sainz has had a mixed season, but is currently on an impressive run of form, culminating in fifth from 15th on the grid at Istanbul Park in tricky conditions to lift him into seventh in the drivers’ standings.

READ MORE: Fifth-placed Sainz ‘happy and relieved’ with 10-position gain in Turkish GP

His contributions, together with team mate Lando Norris, have put McLaren in fourth in the constructors’ championship and in the hunt for third, five points adrift of Racing Point.

Seidl praised Sainz’s work ethic, relationship with his engineering team and driving ability, particularly in wet conditions.

"A race like [Turkey] just confirmed the quality Carlos has," said Seidl. "We know from previous races in the last years that he likes all of these tricky conditions, he likes these wet or mixed conditions.

“We know that he is performing well in these conditions, and that he has this talent to take the right approach in terms of risk. And he manages to keep the car on track while still making progress on track, and making the moves stick like he did today. And it's simply a big benefit.

"Also [it is useful] if you have a driver that works for some time already with his engineer, and his engineering team, because in conditions like today, you have a lot of communication ongoing between driver and the pit wall.

"And there you see also the experience Carlos has because it's important then to stay brief on the radio, calm but also clear of what's going on out there at the track, so that we can match this with the data we see on the pit wall, and that in the end makes them make the right decisions at the right time.

"He's a great driver. There's a reason why Ferrari went after him for next year."

READ MORE: Sainz says 2020 midfield battle the tightest he's ever experienced

He added: "I really like also the approach, how he deals with the situation, together with us.

“He is fully committed, very motivational for the entire team and that's key I think also for the results we are getting together with him at the moment so I'm really looking forward to the last three races with him in our team, and then hopefully we beat him next year."