Carlos Sainz not thinking about 2019 Red Bull move

Carlos Sainz insists he is not thinking about a potential move to Red Bull in 2019.

The Spaniard is preparing for his first full season with Renault having been loaned to the French manufacturer from the Red Bull stable after three years with Toro Rosso.

Sainz is regarded as the leading contender to replace Daniel Ricciardo in the senior Red Bull team should the Australian not sign an extension on his contract which expires at the end of the season.

But the 23-year-old says his sole focus is on Renault and he is preparing as though his long-term future is with the team.

Ricciardo: Red Bull talks in April
Hamilton: Max can be champion
F1 Testing: The conclusions

"I think there are no more secrets in my contract situation at the moment," Sainz told Sky Sports.

"On a personal feeling, it would be very stupid to think about 2019, especially when 2018 [season] hasn't even started.

"I think the vote of confidence Renault has put on me deserves 100 per cent focus on this project and I'm working like I was going to be here forever.

"I'm giving everything to them and giving my opinion in everything I can, even for next year's things. I'm not even thinking about 2019."

Sainz confident Renault have closed on 'Big Three'
Renault made an encouraging start to 2018 in the first pre-season test, avoiding any major reliability issues and racking up 273 laps in difficult conditions.

They also appear to have closed the gap to the 'Big Three', often running within a second of last season's dominant teams, and Sainz is hopeful Renault can compete more at the front of the field this year and improve on their sixth-place finish in the Constructors' Championship.

"I don't know how big, but I'm convinced the team is capable of taking that step that we all want and get a bit closer to the leaders," Sainz said.

"I think it was around 1.5 seconds last year on average. This year we want to be closer than that and I'm convinced the team has the capability of doing so."

F1 Testing: Fastest laps so far
Renault give Red Bull deadline

The first pre-season test suggested Renault will be firmly in the mix to take the 'best of the rest' tag, but may face stiff competition from McLaren, who they now supply with power units.

Sainz is relishing the prospect of reigniting his on-track battles with compatriot Fernando Alonso in 2018 and hopes they will now be in the hunt for podium finishes.

"I've been racing Fernando the three years I have been in Formula 1 surprisingly enough," Sainz said.

"I didn't expect that, unfortunately it's because he hasn't had the right tools to fight for world championships. To fight with him further up the grid would be more than welcome.

"For me it's a dream come true to always be competing against him every time I am out there on track with him and learning. I'm looking forward to having more battles and to try and beat him."