Renault Formula 1 chief Cyril Abiteboul has paid tribute to Carlos Sainz Jr. following confirmation of the Spaniard'🍃s move to McLaren for 2019, calling him a "great contributor".

Renault confirmed Sainz would beꦫ departing the team after announcing the signing of Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull earlier this month 🦩to partner Nico Hulkenberg from next season.

Sainz was known to be under option at Red Bull, making h🙈is a candidate to replace Ricciardo, bꦡut was instead named by McLaren as its replacement for the outgoing Fernando Alonso on Thursday.

A word from Cyril Abiteboul following today’s announcement:

“D🐼espite an unusual situation, through his relentless work and natural talent, Carlos has been a great contributor to the progress made by the team 🎃since joining us last year.” (1/2)

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1)

“I wish him the best foܫr 2019 onwards with his now-confirmed move t🏅o McLaren; for now we all look forward to the second part of the season together.” (2/2)

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1)

In a message posted to Renault's official F1 Twitter account, Abiteboul thanked Sainz for his efforts since making his debut with the French marque at last year's United States Grand Prix 🤪following his late-season switch from Toro Rosso.

"Despite an unusual situation, through his relentless work and natural talent, Carlos has been a great contributor to the progress made by the team since joining us last year," Abiteboul saiꦏd.

"I wish him the best for 2019 onwards with his now-confirmed move to McLaren; for now we all look forward to the second part of the s𒐪eason together."