F1: Carlos Sainz to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren next year

Carlos Sainz has signed a multi-year deal to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren from the 2019 Formula One season, the team confirmed on Thursday.

Double world champion Alonso announced his retirement from the sport on Tuesday, ending months of speculation about his future.

Sainz will enter his fifth season of Formula 1 when he joins the McLaren team next year. The Spaniard currently sits 11th in the drivers' championship standings with Renault.

"I'm delighted to finally be able to confirm that I'll be a McLaren driver from the 2019 season," Sainz said in a statement.

"It's something I've been looking at for a while and I'm very excited about this next chapter in my career."