F1 | Abu Dhabi GP | Sainz: "A podium is a great way to finish my first season with Ferrari"
Carlos Sainz explained after the race that he had very high expectations for this season, and then he commented on his former teammate becoming world champion. "I'm happy for Max, he is an inspiration" he said.
Another podium for Carlos Sainz, who concluded his 2021 in the best possible way.
The Spaniard finished third in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, behind Lewis Hamilton and provisional world champion Max Verstappen.
TOP 10 FINISHERS: ABU DHABI 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
A hugely dramatic final race of 2021 😮
And it finishes with @Max33Verstappen as world champion! 🏆#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/NZB0rqzkAQ
Sainz's season has exceeded everyone's expectations. He immediately imposed himself with a constant series of results that never took him out of the Top 10, in a new season, in which the difficulty of change often prevails over everything.
Race after race the Madrilenian narrowed the margin against rivals, arriving "first of the others", in fifth position in the drivers' championship, overtaking teammate Leclerc and former teammate Norris.
Immediately after the race, he expressed his thoughts on the race and on his future in red, speaking to some Italian media:
"After everything that has happened in the race, we were in the right place at the right time.” He said.
“I closed the season, my first in Ferrari, in a great way, with a podium and fifth place. Already in the first laps of this race I felt good and I had strong emotions.
"I tried to stay calm when the Safety car happened and I managed to have fun.
“Whoever was going to win the title today, would have deserved it, they are at the peak of their career. I'm happy for Max, we started together and for me he is an inspiration to watch for the future,” he stated about his former teammate in Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri).
“I had very high expectations for this season, I'm happy to have had a positive start and a development that led me to finish with a podium and a perfect race," he said Sky Sport Italy.
"The podium doesn’t change my life, but it is a symbolic result. I put it all together for the 3rd place," he added.
The appointment is now for the next 2022 season, with Ferrari already looking to the future, in a key season that will see the debut of the new single-seaters.
Everything could change with the new regulations, and with cars that have the clear intention of increasing overtaking and battles on track.
"Next year's cars seem very difficult to drive, it's a pity because I got used to this one this year, I liked driving it, but if the car is good next year, I'm ready to fight for the World Championship," he concluded.
