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 very 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 congratulat …
