Carlos Sainz plays down Ferrari switch rumours

Carlos Sainz has dismissed talk that he could be Formula 1's next Ferrari driver as "nothing but rumours".

With Kimi Raikkonen under fire for a poor outing at Monaco and the Finn's contract expiring, Spaniard Sainz is among those who have been mentioned as a potential replacement.

However, the 21-year-old, under long-term contract to Red Bull and driving for the energy drink company's junior squad Toro Rosso, said: "They are nothing but rumours.

"It is not bad because it means that people are taking me seriously, but it is nothing important because it's baseless.

"I have to keep working, doing what I'm doing and the opportunity will come, I hope with Red Bull."

Sainz was speaking at an event where he was named as an ambassador to a foundation in memory of Maria de Villota.