The departure of James Key would be a blow to Toro Rosso, according to Carlos Sainz.
Although Key recently played down rumours that he is being coveted elsewhere in the pitlane as he has a long-term contract, the rumours are swirling once again this weekend in Austria.
Asked if that worries him, Spaniard Sainz - who is staying at Faenza for a third consecutive season in 2017 - answered: "Of course, because James plays a key role in the team.
"For me he is one of the main assets of Toro Rosso. So if he goes, it would be bad news for us."
Told, however, that one scenario is that Key might be promoted to Red Bull and that he could join him, Sainz laughed: "Of course, I would not mind that at all!"
The Austrian Grand Prix gets underway today at 1pm BST.
