Sainz finished eighth in Hungary, a place behind countryman Fernando Alonso.

The result left McLaren just seven points behind STR in the battle for sixth place in the constructors’ championship.

“A solid race from us, holding up to the pace of the McLarens,” said Sainz. “So very pleased with that.

"Obviously Fernando got us at the start, and then it wasn’t possible to pass him, but I think he had a couple of tenths on us, and it was impossible to get closer than three seconds. I think he was controlling us.

"I think this track was suiting us decently, but McLaren has definitely got ahead of us. It’s a bit worrying knowing how much of the season is left, and their development rate.

"But we will try to compensate that and we will try to go as fast as possible and see if we can pull them back.”

“Anyway, I think it was a very solid weekend from my side, so we can go to Germany and close the first half of the season really happy and confident in where we are at mid-season.”

Sainz also confirmed that Toro Rosso would bring an update for the upcoming German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

“We have a step hopefully coming on in Germany. There we should do a step forward in performance."

Don’t miss our German GP video preview…