Carlos Sainz plays down chances of Hungary team switch

Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on April 28, 2016
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Carlos Sainz joins those playing down his chances of switching teams ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

Carlos Sainz has now joined those playing down his chances of switching teams ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

Tension is clearly high between the Toro Rosso driver and his Red Bull bosses, with Christian Horner now admitting the 22-year-old can be bought by a rival for an appropriate exit fee.

However, Horner, his fellow Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko, Toro Rosso's Franz Tost and Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul have all denied that Sainz switching to replace the struggling Jolyon Palmer at Renault will be complete by Hungary.

Now, Sainz is also playing down that scenario.

"I am not thinking about anything except the Hungarian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso," he said.

As for the Renault switch rumours, Sainz continued: "Yes, many people are asking me to comment on these rumours.

"For me, it's just speculation, and I do not comment on that."

Sainz also denied that the recent controversy in Austria, where his Red Bull chiefs scolded him for comments in the media, had damaged the relationship irreparably.

"After Austria we all made clear that what was said was misunderstood," said Sainz.

"At Silverstone I was playing tennis with Christian Horner, and Helmut was the umpire. We had a great time and everything between us is all in order now.

"I am a Red Bull driver, taking part in the youth programme of the company and I am sure that I will stay at Toro Rosso next year, trying to deal with the problems starting with the Hungarian Grand Prix."

Sainz is currently ninth in the driver standings.

Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso walks in the paddock during previews to the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 12, 2016
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TeamPoints
1Mercedes330
2Ferrari275
3Red Bull174
4Force India95
5Williams-Mercedes41
6Toro Rosso33
7Haas29
8Renault26
9Sauber5
10McLaren2
DriversTeamPoints
1Sebastian VettelFerrari177
2Lewis HamiltonMercedes176
3Valtteri BottasMercedes154
4Daniel RicciardoRed Bull117
5Kimi RaikkonenFerrari98
6Max VerstappenRed Bull57
7Sergio PerezForce India52
8Esteban OconForce India43
9Carlos SainzToro Rosso29
10Nico HulkenbergRenault26
11Felipe MassaWilliams-Mercedes23
12Lance StrollWilliams-Mercedes18
13Romain GrosjeanHaas18
14Kevin MagnussenHaas11
15Pascal WehrleinSauber5
16Daniil KvyatToro Rosso4
17Fernando AlonsoMcLaren2
18Jolyon PalmerRenault0
19Marcus EricssonSauber0
20Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren0
21Antonio GiovinazziSauber0
22Jenson ButtonMcLaren0