CARLOS SAINZ JR says that he respects Lewis Hamilton ‘more than ever’ after the way he behaved on the Abu Dhabi podium following his agonising defeat in the F1 title decider. The controversial finish to the season saw Max Verstappen steal the crown from the Brit on the last lap. But Sainz, 27, has praised the way Hamilton, 37, dealt with the crazy ending. “Losing the title on the last lap like that is really hard to accept. “I respect him more than before for how he managed to behave. Sainz is back for his second season with Ferrari, who finished third in the constructors championship behind Mercedes and Red Bull.

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