Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was crowned champion for the first time in the Yas Marina finale after he beat Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton thanks to a late safety car period following a crash by Nicolas Latifi.
Although Michael Masi’s call to relaunch the race with one lap to go was controversial, fears that the championship would be decided by a crash between Verstappen and Hamilton didn’t materialise.
Ferrari driver Sainz admitted he felt relieved that “nothing strange” happened between the championship contenders.
“I actually believe that the championship had a good outcome in sight of all the possibilities that there were coming into this race,” said Sainz.
“I think, personal opinion, it was a great battle up front and they managed to keep it clean, no crashes, no contact.
“Just a good battle that this sport deserved for this last race and the first thing I did was congratulate both Max and Lewis on the podium because I believe that whoever was winning this weekend was going to…
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