Tuesday 11 December 2018 15:00, UK
Carlos Sainz says he is not worried about team-mate Nico Hulkenberg's early 2018 superiority at Renault.
The Spaniard is one of only two drivers in the field yet to outqualify or outrace their team-mate after the season's opening three rounds, although the Renault duel has proved one of the closest-fought so far.
But Sainz, whose form will inevitably be monitored by parent team Red Bull during his loan spell at Renault, says he is "working really hard" to get more out of his RS18 car from this weekend's Azerbaijan GP onwards.
"I was probably a step ahead in Australian qualifying, he was very good in Bahrain as last year, and China it was a two-tenths gap which can easily go one way or the other depending on the race," said Sainz.
"I'm not very concerned and I'm working really hard in Enstone. I've been pretty much there before and after every race, trying to learn and analyse everything.
"I'm confident that with hard work and 18 races ahead it should come back [Sainz's way]."
The balance of power in Sainz's battle with Hulkenberg is likely to take on increasing significance for Red Bull the longer it takes them to tie Daniel Ricciardo to a new contract.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner this week told the German press that Sainz was the "most obvious" alternative to Ricciardo should the Australian not agree terms on a post-2018 deal.
Asked if he remained in regular contact with Red Bull's chiefs, Sainz replied: "I'm obviously still having some contact with them. It's a good thing to be in contact with the whole paddock and especially the guys who have given you your opportunity to be in Formula 1.
"But from my side I'm still in the Renault project and working here like I was going to be here forever and not thinking about 2019.
"When the right moment comes about talking about 2019, don't worry, I will be the first one to start talking about it.
"But I just owe Renault and this team 100 per cent focus in Baku and put some focus on the first half, 75 per cent of the season so that they are pushing flat out for me to keep climbing up the ladder."
