F1 | Abu Dhabi GP | Carlos Sainz: ‘’A great day for the whole team’’
Carlos Sainz signed off on his time with McLaren by helping them get third in the Constructors’ Championship.
Carlos Sainz’s two-year spell with McLaren came to an end at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix today.
Starting 6th on the grid, the Spaniard finished in that position as he followed Lando Norris home to help the team take 3rd in the championship from Racing Point by seven points.
Sainz also finished 6th in the Drivers’ Championship for the second straight year as his 2nd place at Monza meant he finished ahead of Alex Albon; both drivers notched 105 points.
“A great day for the whole team. I think we managed to put together a very strong weekend from the beginning to the end. We managed to remain focused, solid and bring home this P3 in the championship with a very well-executed race from everyone.
“From my side, it wasn’t the most exciting race. I kept it clean, I made a couple of moves in the middle of the race and managed to finish back in P6, so happy with that. I’m also very happy with finishing P6 in the Championship for the second time with McLaren. I think the last seven, eight races of the year, where things went a bit more our way, I was able to show the pace that we’ve had all season. For me it just shows that, whatever happens, you need to keep pushing and believing in what you are doing.
The 26-year-old paid tribute to McLaren following his last race for them. He scored his first and second career podiums with the Woking-based team.
“I cannot be more grateful to each and every member of the team for these two great years, both at the racetrack and back at the factory. I take with me the best of memories. It’s been an honour to help the team as much as I could and get McLaren closer to where it belongs. I look forward to battling you guys next year! All the best.”
That’s it!! P3 in Constructors and P6 in Drivers Championship for the second year in a row with the team. I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved and happy to have helped @McLarenF1 in getting closer to where it belongs. THANK YOU 🧡
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) December 13, 2020
👉https://t.co/axNH0zhkj1 pic.twitter.com/WL3piRr0WS
And for one last time... Let me sing for you...
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) December 13, 2020
🎥 @F1
-#Carlossainz pic.twitter.com/r55o0xOMNG
P3 in the 2020 Constructors’ World Championship. 🤝
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) December 13, 2020
Enjoy this one, team. 🧡#AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/XaxG9RE6vW
