An interesting suggestion was recently shared by Carlos Sainz's former race engineer Tom Stallard - who currently works with Oscar Piastre - who claims that the Spanish work allows McLaren to compete, without him we wouldn't be here.
Stallard also stated that Sainz benefited greatly from these times, which is how he was able to join Scuderia Ferrari later:
"He is a brilliant driver who has clearly helped make McLaren competitive. Although he was not seen as a real asset at Renault, he showed us what potential he had, we really needed his services. He has contributed a lot to our project, we certainly wouldn't be here if he hadn't been with us at that time. We helped him restore his self-esteem, thanks to which he is now considered one of the best drivers.
"Now he is having the same beneficial effect on Ferrari as he had with us, he has a huge part in the fact that the Reds are fighting for the title in the constructors' championship." - came the unexpected but huge praise from his opponent.
