Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hamilton 'really struggled' on Abu Dhabi podium after controversy - Sainz

Ewan Gale Thursday 10 February 2022 12:41

Hamilton 'really struggled' on Abu Dhabi podium after controversy - Sainz

Carlos Sainz has revealed he 'respects' Lewis Hamilton more for the way he handled the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy despite "really struggling".

The Spaniard also insisted F1's situation since the event, with FIA race director Michael Masi remaining under intense scrutiny, is not "disastrous".

Ferrari driver Sainz was the forgotten man of the 2021 season finale after finishing third, with the opportunity to overtake Max Verstappen and Hamilton taken away from him due to backmarkers between himself and the Red Bull remaining in place as part of the botched procedures behind the final safety car.

Asked how he would have felt had he been in Hamilton's position, Sainz told Corriere Della Sera: "Very bad, and I was surprised at how he avoided making a mess at the end of the race.

"Losing the title on the last lap like that, it's just hard to accept.

"I respect him more than before for the way he managed to do it. We had a few words on the podium, he was really struggling [to comprehend the situation]."

The incident was the last of a string of controversies last term but Sainz believes the sport is learning from its errors.

"We must not repeat the same mistake," he added.

"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 that it is improving."

Latest News

South African Grand Prix

Shock new venue emerges for potential African F1 race

47 minutes ago

Adrian Newey

Tsunoda denied Red Bull promotion after 'furious' Newey fallout

1 hour ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Hamilton confirms stunning new plans as Horner reflects on 'cruel' decision

2 hours ago

GPFans Recap

Lawson admits Red Bull shock as new F1 team linked with surprise move - F1 Recap

Yesterday 23:42

Lewis Hamilton

New Hamilton merch drops for Japanese GP... but it's not cheap!

Yesterday 22:58

Japanese Grand Prix

Tsunoda SPINS Red Bull as fans given Japan show

Yesterday 21:55

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 14 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 11 Apr

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 18 Apr

GP USA 2 - 2 May

GP ITALY 16 - 16 May

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

GP SPAIN 30 - 30 May

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Hamilton 'really struggled' on Abu Dhabi podium after controversy - Sainz

Hamilton 'really struggled' on Abu Dhabi podium after controversy - Sainz