Carlos Sainz Jr. says he feels no extra pressure stepping into the shoes of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso at McL🌊aren in 2019, when he will become the only Spanish driver on the grid.

Sainz’s desire to race in F1 was fuelled by Alonso, Spain’s first and only world c✃hampion, and the ex-Renault and Toro Rosso drive💫r will step into his hero’s seat at McLaren next year.

Sainz will be the only Spaniard racing in F1 through 2019 as Alonso expl♏ores pursuits outside of F1, including returns to the Indianapolis 500 and Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Asked by mahbx.com if he felt any extra pressure stepping into Alonso’s shoes at McLaren, Sainz said he saw only positives in doꦰiꦓng so.

“There is no extra pressure in that way, mainly because as a driver, you never feel the crowd or the expectations of your home cou൲ntry as pressure. You find it positive,” Sainz said.

“For me, the fact that everyone is going to watch Formula 1 next year in Spain to see me racing is actually aꦰ great thing. It’s something that I look forward to.

“And when yꦚou jump in the car, you don’t think about it. You just want to win. I want to win one day in Formula 1, and as I want to win, everything jumps on board, but 𓄧don’t apply me pressure because the first one that wants to win is myself.

“I think we’re going to miss Fernando. I wish him the best in every category that he goes to, a🧔nd I’m sure wherever he goes, he will perform like he is one of the best drivers in the world.”

Sainz said he was yet to speak with Alonso about what to expect at McLaren, but would lo🍰ok to spend some time with this compatriot over the winꦏter.

“I haven’t got the chance. He’s probablꦦy the busiest man on earth!” Sainz saiಞd.

“But I really hope෴ one day I get to sit down with him, have a bit of a briefing about McLaren also, start asking him a bit of questions, and also talk a bit more as friends and see what his plans are.

“I will obviously not tell it to you 🌟guys, but I will know it for myself."