Zak Brown opens door to surprise McLaren return: ‘I have his phone number’

Zak Brown has teased he still has Carlos Sainz's phone number in case the former McLaren racer should ever available for a return.  Sainz drove for McLaren between 2019-2020 and scored its first podium since 2012 in the 2019 Brazilian GP before leaving to replace Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari for '21. He scored four grand prix wins for the team and helped to lead a fight for the 2024 constructors', against McLaren, although his former employer came out on top in the Abu Dhabi finale. Both current drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remain under long-term contracts, but should a vacancy arise, Brown has no qualms about who he would consider to fill it. "If we had a free spot, of course, we would consider Carlos, but right now we have Lando and Oscar under contract for several years," Brown told Marca.  "But if for some reason, the situation changes and Carlos is available... I have his phone number in my address book." Brown was also asked about Sainz's departure from Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton, and would not be drawn if he would have made the same decision as Fred Vasseur.  "It's not as simple as that, there are a lot of dynamics around it that play into it," he said.  "Lewis is a seven-time champion, and there aren't many times when you get to have a sportsman like that in your team.  "But at the same time, Carlos was incredible with us, is a good friend, and a great driver.  "Luckily, I wasn't in a position to have to make that decision."