Red Bull: Sainz must focus on FR3.5

Carlos Sainz Jr. has been told by Red Bull that winning Formula Renault 3.5 this year must come before any push to get him in to Formula 1.

The Spaniard has been linked with a role at Caterham this season, either in a race or testing capacity, after a push by the team's new owners to cement a closer relationship with technical partner Red Bull, which backs Sainz's career. But despite the increasing speculation surrounding the youngster's F1 chances, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko insists that there are no plans to slot him in on a grand prix weekend at this stage.

"If he wins WSR, he will be given the F1 test possibility in Abu Dhabi after the season", Marko said.

Sainz has said he would jump at any opportunity to take part in F1 this year, but equally is eager to become the first Red Bull-backed driver to win the FR3.5 title.

"To be an F1 driver is my dream, so of course if any opportunity comes up, if it's with Caterham or anyone else, I would grab it with both hands," Sainz said. "Everyone keeps telling me how different everything is in F1, so it would be good to gain experience of it – including learning about all the meetings you have to have, and everything that comes with the driving.

"Whatever the situation, if it's racing in F1 then it's gaining F1 experience and that is always going to be a good thing. But at the same time I am happy focusing on FR3.5 and I am enjoying myself here, so if there is not an opportunity in F1 before the end of the year then I will not be depressed.

"I want to become the first Red Bull driver to win this championship – that's my main goal this year."

Sainz, who took over Kevin Magnussen's FR3.5 seat at DAMS for this year, currently leads the standings by 39 points with six races to go.