CARLOS Sainz cannot wait to get back behind the wheel at this weekend’s Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Sunday’s race at Spa is the first since the sport’s two-week shutdown, which turned out to be a busy period for driver recruitment at Enstone-based Renault.

Daniel Ricciardo has signed for 2019, with Sainz leaving for McLaren.

And the Spaniard is eager to have a strong second half to the season.

He said: “There are still a lot of races to go this year and I’m determined to leave Renault having driven the R.S.18 at its very best.”

“While it’s nice to have a little break, I’m a driver and I love to race, so the sooner I get in the car, the happier I will be.”