Sainz poised for Renault switch in Malaysia

Carlos Sainz is set to move to Renault from the Malaysia Grand Prix onwards, and be replaced by Pierre Gasly at Toro Rosso.

The move has come about amid power unit negotiations with a number of teams. McLaren has been keen to secure a Renault supply next season while Honda debates whether it remains in the sport or switches to Toro Rosso. The latter move would allow McLaren to pick up Toro Rosso's current Renault power unit deal, with the French manufacturer currently contracted to supply both Red Bull and Toro Rosso until the end of 2018.

While any confirmation regarding power unit deals is expected later this week, sources have confirmed to RACER that Sainz is poised to leave Toro Rosso and be loaned to Renault, joining Nico Hulkenberg as a replacement for Jolyon Palmer.

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Such a switch allows Red Bull to give Sainz a new challenge, with the Spaniard having impressed with Toro Rosso over the past three seasons but seeing his route to Red Bull blocked by Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. The deal could also provide some compensation for Renault if Toro Rosso were to terminate its power unit contract a year ahead of schedule.

RACER understands Sainz will make the move after this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, with an announcement due on Thursday. Although Toro Rosso will lose the driver who has scored the most points for it this season, such a switch suggests it will become the Honda works partner next year, which would also bring financial benefits.

Renault, meanwhile, will receive a highly-rated replacement for Palmer, with the Briton yet to score a point for Renault as it chases fifth-placed Williams in the constructors' championship. 2016 GP2 champion Gasly is set to be drafted in as a replacement for Sainz at Toro Rosso for the rest of the season.

Following an impressive second Super Formula victory at the weekend, Gasly himself was quoted as saying he expected to know what would happen "in the next couple of days", but told RACER columnist Will Buxton that he never suggested he could race in Malaysia.

"Just said I was hoping to drive for STR soon mate," Gasly wrote in a reply on Twitter. "Never mentioned Malaysia. [Media] just twisting my words."