Sainz hoping for strong final outing with Renault

Carlos Sainz says he is looking to end his Renault career on a high note ahead of his move to McLaren next season. The Spaniard will line up alongside Lando Norris at the team next season with Daniel Ricciardo coming in as his replacement at Renault.

Ahead of the season finale, Sainz said he was looking forward to the spectacle under the lights at the Yas Marina Circuit as F1 draws to a close after another lengthy season.

“I quite enjoy these races under the lights. Yas Marina is a nice circuit with incredible facilities and it’s a great location for the season finale. It’s cool to start the race in daylight and finish it under the night sky, I really like that. In terms of a lap, there’s a lot going on.

“There are long straights, which bring overtaking opportunities, fast sweeping corners and also some tight turns. We’ll be doing our homework to ensure we’re best prepared and can hit the ground running right from Friday practice.”

Sainz also added that he was hoping for some extra performance in the final race and that he was proud of his time with the team.

“We would like a bit more performance from the car for the last race and I know the team is working hard to get back into the points there. Hopefully it will be a good last race for the team and I can end this spell on a really bright note.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with Renault over the past 14 months. They say Enstone has a family feel and I felt at ease and very welcome from day one. To drive for a manufacturer team is a dream come true and I’m very proud to be part of the history of such an important brand in Formula 1.

“On track, the results have been good on a whole, very consistent and that’s something I can be proud about. As a driver, I take with me very valuable experiences and I’m looking forward to staying part of the Renault family with McLaren next season.

“We still have this final race to focus on and that’s all I’m thinking about at the moment.”