Carlos Sainz closes his Ferrari chapter on the podium

Starting third, Sainz took advantage of the ambitious attack of Max Verstappen on Oscar piastri to jump into second position, behind Lando NorrisThe first relay of the event led us to expect a potential duel between the two former team-mates with the constructors' title in the background, but the McLaren was dominant in the second half of the race, on hard tires. A good sport, Carlos Sainz congratulated his former team, as he also prepares to leave Ferrari, to join Williams.

“It’s obviously a bittersweet feeling, but I think second is the most we could have hoped for given Lando’s pace in the McLaren. I gave it my all, especially in the first stint, because I felt like I could maintain the gap. Once we got on the hard tyres, Norris looked a tenth or two a lap quicker, as we’ve seen all weekend, and he pulled away. Congratulations to McLaren, they deserve this title, they’ve been very strong in the last two-thirds of the season.”

The driver of the number 55 did not hide the emotion that was his once the checkered flag was crossed. Driving for Ferrari is a dream for any driver, and one that he was able to make come true over the course of four seasons: "For our part, we can be proud of our efforts, and of the season we have had. It was a difficult year, but a year we can be proud of. I hope to return to these positions soon. It is emotional of course, especially during the return lap when my engineer spoke to me on the radio."

Carlos Sainz, proud to have been able to demonstrate that he could fight at the front "with the right car"

Sainz finished on a combative note as he prepares to join another legendary name in the Formula 1, Williams. He believes he has proven during his adventure in red that he has the shoulders to take a team to the top, and he hopes to take on a role as a builder within the Grove structure, to bring the team back to heights that it has not reached since the 1997 season, the year of its last two world titles, then during the BMW period a few years later.

“At the same time, I am very grateful to have been part of this incredible team for four years. I had the opportunity to take my first victories, to achieve my first pole positions. I was able to show everyone that I can fight for great results if I have the right car. My goal, starting next year, is to focus on that with Williams, to make sure we get back to where this team deserves to be.”

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