Carlos Sainz believes a new-found “comfortable environment” at McLaren helpꦆed him turn in the best season of his Formula 1 career in 2019.

The Spaniard finished ‘best of the rest’ behind only drivers from the top three teams as he claimed sixth spot in the championship, marking his best-ever season ꩵin F1.

Sainz said 2019 h⛦ad “definitely” been the strongest of his career and reck꧒ons he has finally been able to extract the best out of himself at McLaren, highlighted by some brilliant performances including picking up a maiden podium in Brazil.

“I think you can see that I’m in a much more comfortable environment right now, more comfortable atm𓆏osphere,” Sainz explained.

“The certainty of a nice future with McLaren gave me that extra tranquillity just to show my skills a bit better withou🌼t that extra having to do everything at the moment, thinking 𒁃more about the mid-term.

“That has helped me to put together some nice race෴s, some nice overtaking moves that before we maybe didn’t see from myself, and that last bit of confidence that I unlocked this yౠear has definitely given me the opportunity.”

Asked what more development he feels there is to find fr🥂om himself, Sainz replied: “A lot. I think still every area can be improved, but this year I’ve done a very big step, an♓d I’m willing to build from here.

“This year was a big step for me, and I just want to continue that way. I’m finding li✃ttle things to become a stronger driver.”

Sainz’s final points tally of 96 helped McLaren comfortably beat chief midfield rival and engine suppliers Renault 💦to fourth spot in the constructors’ st𝕴andings.