F1 | McLaren, Carlitos Sainz: “It was an honor, I will take wonderful memories with me”

Carlos Sainz concludes what was his last race in orange: after the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in fact, Sainz stopped being a McLaren driver, but together with his teammate Lando Norris he fought until the end to ensure third place in the constructors' standings for the team. Since his arrival at Woking, Sainz has grown as a driver, but McLaren itself has also been reborn, picking up the pieces after the disaster caused by its marriage to Honda. Next year, Mercedes engines will power the papaya-colored cars, while Sainz will land in Ferrari, the dream of every Formula 1 driver. This consensual separation between the two, however, has not undermined Carlos' relationship with the team, celebrating a well-deserved third place until the end.

“A great day for the whole team. I think we managed to wrap up a fantastic weekend together, from start to finish. We remained fully focused on taking home third place in the constructors' championship, with great execution from the whole team – said Sainz – on my part, it was not an exciting race. I didn't make any mistakes, there were some moves halfway through the race, but I held the starting position and finished in sixth place, I'm happy. I am also very happy to be sixth in the drivers' championship for the second time with McLaren. I think the last seven – eight races of this year, when things were more in our favor, I was able to show our real potential that we had from the beginning of the season. I think this shows that no matter what happens, you have to keep pushing and believing in what you're doing.

In the end, Sainz abandoned himself to thanks: for the second consecutive year he is sixth in the drivers' championship, and with this team he achieved the first podiums of his career.

"I couldn't be more grateful to every member of this team for these wonderful two years, both to the guys on the track and to those in Woking. I will take some wonderful memories with me. It was an honor to help the team with all my means and bring McLaren back to its rightful place. I can't wait to fight with you next year. I wish you the best".