Carlos Sainz at McLaren (2019–2020)

Carlos Sainz's two-year tenure at McLaren, spanning the 2019 and 2020 seasons, marked a crucial period for both driver and team, significantly elevating McLaren's standing in the Formula 1 constructors' championship and solidifying Sainz's reputation as a consistent, high-performing asset.

How it began

Following a challenging period, notably the Fernando Alonso at McLaren-Honda (2015–2018) era, McLaren sought a fresh direction. Sainz arrived for the 2019 season, bringing with him a reputation for consistent points scoring from his stints at Toro Rosso and Carlos Sainz at Renault (2017–2018). His signing, alongside rookie Lando Norris, signaled a strategic shift towards a younger, dynamic driver pairing aimed at rebuilding the Woking-based squad. This period was about more than just raw pace; it was about instilling confidence and a clear development trajectory.

The partnership's character

The pairing of Sainz and Norris quickly became a fan favorite, characterized by a strong working relationship and a healthy competitive spirit. Sainz, the more experienced of the two, provided consistent feedback and a benchmark, while Norris pushed the boundaries with his raw talent. This synergy was instrumental in McLaren's ascent. Over his 38 races with the team, Sainz consistently extracted performance from the MCL34 and MCL35 chassis, which, while not front-running contenders, were markedly improved from previous seasons. His ability to adapt to the car's characteristics, particularly its strong chassis and improved Renault power unit, allowed him to deliver results even when the car wasn't the absolute fastest in the midfield.

Key chapter in the seasons

The 2019 season saw Sainz finish a remarkable 6th in the Drivers' Championship, securing 96 points and McLaren's first podium since 2014 at the Brazilian Grand Prix. This result was a significant morale booster and a clear indicator of the team's progress. The momentum continued into the condensed 2020 season, where Sainz again finished 6th in the championship with 105 points, including another podium finish at the dramatic Italian Grand Prix, where he narrowly missed out on a maiden victory. These 2 podiums across his 38 races, alongside his consistent points hauls, were crucial in McLaren securing third place in the Constructors' Championship in 2020, a significant achievement for the team's recovery. The data from these seasons, meticulously tracked by various sources and independent aggregators like , underscores the tangible progress made.