Renault driver Carlos Sainz wraps up his last Friday at Renault with a number of positives. The Spaniard ended FP2 in P12, whereas his teammate Nico Hulkenberg managed to enter the top 10 in P8, and he is adamant the French team will have a better weekend than the previous in Brazil.

The features of the Abu Dhabi racetrack will favour Renault, according to the Madrid-born driver. However, it is very demanding, as you have to be surgical and extremely precise with tyres and the set-up to put up a good lap. 
"Good day in the office, because we look a bit more comfortable at this track than in Brazil. Less power sensitivity, more low-speed corners, where our car thrives. I think we are about to find a good compromise, with no uphills and no flat-out corners where we struggle the most. The fact that there are long straights does not mean we will be as slow as we were in Brazil."

Among the selected sets, Pirelli brought the HyperSoft to Yas Marina, which is a rather complicated tyre to manage. "Hopefully we will get the car in the right spot of balance and with the tyres, as it is always difficult to find the right spot with the HyperSoft tyres and put in a good lap" said Sainz.

In conclusion, a question about his long-time friend and idol Fernando Alonso cannot be asked. Sainz is paying tribute to the two-time champion with a '14' on his helmet: "I think it is the minimum I could do to commemorate his last race, he is such an important person for me in my life and in my career."