Carlos Sainz says he "feels a lot of pride" at being linked with "important" manufacturers such as Renault, although he reiterated that he is comfortable at Toro Rosso.
In the week leading up to the Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed that Sainz would be retained at Toro Rosso for 2017. Despite the announcement, speculation circulating in the Spanish media has suggested that the quadruple world champions could be prepared to offload Sainz to Renault in return for a more favourable engine deal.
When asked to comment on the rumours the Spaniard admitted that he is flattered by the link to the two-time constructors' champions, but played down the likelihood of such a move becoming reality.
"Of course it's a compliment," Sainz said. "At the end it's manufacturers that rule Formula One and they are here to stay. To get the interest from such an important manufacturer like Renault is of course... I feel a lot of pride for it and I am not going to deny it, it makes me feel happy.
"Maybe they [Red Bull] change their minds, I don't know, but it would be very strange. I think it would be very extraordinary if something like that happened. I heard the rumours that Renault might be interested and all those kind of stuff. I don't know how much of it is true."
Sainz has always maintained that his aim is to break into the Red Bull senior team and recently said that he is confident he can 'force opportunities' to earn an early promotion.
"The sole intention that Red Bull has renewed the contract is to keep me, not for me to be traded, so I think I can be quite confident and quite calm about my future because of that. If at the end it happens it will be unexpected, let's put it like that.
"I am very comfortable in STR. I have a lot of support from the big bosses, which is important for me to have the support of a character like Helmut Marko, Christian Horner and Franz Tost. They are trusting me a lot and it's the right place to be."
Sainz qualified eighth for Sunday's British Grand Prix but will line up seventh after Sebastian Vettel's grid penalty is applied.