Carlos Sainz says he bears no grudges toward Renault after they opted to sign Daniel Ricciardo, leaving him searching for a “plan B” for 2019.

While it was thought that Sainz had a chance of staying with Renault next season, the team decided instead to put Ricciardo in the car alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

Given Sainz’s ties to Red Bull, his parent team, Renault boss Cyril Abitebouls said Red Bull’s hardball stance on Sainz made it simpler to go with Ricciardo.

“It was easier to reach an agreement with Daniel than with Carlos, because clearly Red Bull was blocking our attempt to sign an extension of our agreement with Sainz,” he said.