Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has announced that Carlos Sainz Jr. will remain at Toro Rosso for 2017.

It believed that Red Bull has enforced its option to retain the young Spaniard for next season. “We took up his option earlier this week, so he is committed to Red Bull for an extra 12 months,” said Horner.

“As with all the drivers they are contracted to Red Bull Racing, and then we have the ability to place them where we want.Of course, he is currently at Toro Rosso which is where he will be next year.We had until the end of the year to take up the option, and we chose to do it early to put his mind at rest.”

The 21-year-old driver is currently in his second year at the Toro Rosso team and has scored 36 points to date. His best finish to date is 6th with a best qualifying position of 5th place.