Karun Chandhok impressed with the job Carlos Sainz has done this season

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has praised the job that McLaren's Carlos Sainz has done this season. It has been a very strong season for the team and was topped off last weekend when the Spaniard secured a place on the podium after Lewis Hamilton was awarded a penalty.

"Carlos Sainz has done an extraordinary seasonal performance. He would be my choice for the third-best driver behind Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen," Chandhok told Sky Sports.

"The good results of Gasly and Sainz came about through the disappointment of Ferrari, Lewis and Albon, but both have definitely earned their podium places for their season performances."

Going into the final race, Sainz is locked in an interesting battle with Toro Rosso driver Pierre Gasly for seventh place, with both drivers currently level on points.

McLaren are comfortably in fourth-place with one race to go, holding a 49 point advantage over Renault.