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SEPANG, Malaysia -- Carlos Sainz says he is proud to have interest from Renault for next year but says he is in no rush to leave Toro Rosso.Sainz is contracted to Toro Rosso for 2017, but has been linked to a Renault drive if a deal can be struck between Red Bull and the French manufacturer, which will also supply engines to both teams next year. Sainz said he welcomed the interest from Renault but would not be drawn on what it means for the future of his career.There has been some interest and contacts which for me is an honour that a manufacturer team is worried about me and wants to know my contractual situation, he said. As you know, more or less what is going on with Red Bull they guide your career, they paid for five years of my junior series, which is millions of euros and I perfectly understand they dont want to let me go having spent so much money on me and me being in the best moment of my career and then just let me go.It is an honour to have interest from a manufacturer team that wants me to develop the car and create good base for the future. My main target and objective is to in 2018 be fighting for the world championship and hopefully that will be with Red Bull. That is my main target and I know it is very difficult but the only thinking I want is for that to happen and I need to find the shortest way to that point.Red Bull has Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen contracted to its senior team until 2018, putting a blocker on Sainzs career ambitions at the energy drink company. The Spaniard admits his future is ultimately in the hands of Helmut Marko, who runs the Red Bull junior programme, and says he is focused purely on getting results in the machinery available to him.I am aware of what they want me to be aware of. Of course I am aware a bit about what is going on but I dont know the details of what is happening because I am focused on this season and I dont want to think about my future when there are an important six races coming and because it is my job to be involved but it is more Helmut Marko and my management to sort out that stuff. My job is to drive as fast as possible.I am aware and it makes me proud that a manufacturer is interested in me, it is something every driver wants. It is difficult for a Toro Rosso driver to look somewhere else but in my situation I have other possibilities and it makes me proud and happy.Asked directly to choose between Renault and Toro Rosso, Sainz said: At the moment I have full trust in Toro Rosso that they are going to produce a good chassis for next year because if there was any doubt, Singapore proved Toro Rosso is probably the third or fourth best chassis on the grid. Even on a short straight in Singapore we were 12kph down but still qualifying P6, one second off a Red Bull. It shows the car is good and performs in cornering.As for Renault, I dont have enough information that they are going to perform next year or if it is going to take two years or three years. I dont have any feedback to know if they will be a top level next year or in three years time. Wide receiver Andre Johnson has told the Tennessee Titans he is retiring after 14 seasons, the team announced Monday.Going back to his days at the University of Miami, Andre was one of the most impressive wide receivers Ive scouted, Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. He had a professional approach to the game both on and off the field and in my opinion is one of the best to have played the game. I enjoyed getting to know and work with him in his time with our team.A seven-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, Johnson had been a backup on the Titans depth chart this season. He had nine receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns in 2016 but hadnt made a catch since Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins.Johnson made his legacy in Houston, where he is by far the franchise leader in receiving yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns.The 35-year-old steps away 10th in the NFL in career receiving yards (14,185) and ninth in career receptions (1,062).Texans owner Bob McNair told the Houston Chronicle that he would love to see Johnson in the Hall of Fame.That would be terrific. I think he deserves to be there, McNair said. Itd be a reflection on what we have done with our franchise in that weve produced a player who was of that quaality.ddddddddddddTexans linebacker Brian Cushing said Monday he was shocked to hear that his former teammate was retiring.Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins, when asked whether in his mind Johnson is a Hall of Famer, said: In everybodys mind, not just mine.Hopkins, who now is one of the NFLs top receivers, remembered Johnson mentoring him in his first few seasons.It was very big to have a guy of his status and who has played a lot of football to teach me a lot of things about the game of football and about life in general. He basically groomed me my first couple years I was here, he said.Running back Arian Foster, Johnsons longtime teammate in Houston, also announced his retirement last week.Johnson led the NFL in receptions in 2006 (103 catches) and 2008 (115). He topped the league with 1,575 receiving yards in 2008 and 1,569 yards in 2009, two of his seven seasons with more than 1,000 yards.He bounced around the AFC South after being released by the Texans after the 2014 season. He played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 and joined the Titans this offseason.ESPNs Sarah Barshop contributed to this report. ' ' '