© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz says he respects Lewis Hamilton “more than ever for the way he managed to behave” on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix podium.
Carlos Sainz had the opportunity to see the controversial finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix up close and personal, as he was driving in P3 at the time, behind Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
He also saw Lewis on the podium after he lost the title due to race director Michael Masi’s failure to follow the rules.
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Sainz said he was impressed at how Lewis behaved in the face of what happened.
“Losing the title on the last lap like that is really hard to accept,” the Spaniard said.
“I respect him more than ever for the way he managed to behave. We had a few words on the podium and he was really struggling.”
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Asked how he would have felt if the same thing happened to him, Sainz said he would find it hard to keep his composure.
“Very bad. And I was surprised at how he avoided making a mess at the end of the race.”
Despite this, Sainz believes the FIA and Formula 1 can move from this situation and turn it into a positive.
“We need to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Every football match generates controversy. We need to prevent F1 from approaching that kind of tension.
“But I don’t think the situation is disastrous. I’m convinced it is improving,” he concluded.
