Sainz ends on a high: "I've shown everyone what I'm capable of"

Departing Renault driver Carlos Sainz Junior ended his time at the French team with a very impressive P6-finish, and the McLaren-bound Spaniard thinks that he's been able to show what he's capable of.

The 24-year-old started on 'mini-pole' in P11, which is often seen as a big advantage compared to qualifying in qualifying tenth or ninth as you have free choice of tyres. He gradually worked his way up the grid but was also helped by the retirements of drivers in front of him like Kimi Raikkonen, Marcus Ericsson and teammate Nico Hülkenberg, who crashed out of the race in the first lap in spectacular fashion.

WATCH: HUGE crash for Hulkenberg at start of Abu Dhabi GP!

"Finally," Sainz smiled when talking to El Mundo Deportivo, "in the points in Abu Dhabi."

"Coming from behind with very good race pace and overtaking the entire grid to finish in the points. I'm very, very happy."

The key to Spaniard's race was how well he nursed his tyres. He started on ultra-soft tyres, which normally last about 15 laps, but Sainz went way longer than that

"We did not know if we were going to go to one or two [stops].

"What we certainly did not know was that the ultra was going to last so long and it was going to be so good for our car."

Now, a new era awaits with McLaren. He'll start testing with them in the Woking-based team in Abu Dhabi next season.

"Finishing the season so you go to winter with incredible sensations, wanting to be in the new team. With 2 years contract insured in the team of my dreams... I am in a good place, very happy with everything that's happened this year and where my career is going."