Carlos Sainz Jr. apologised to his Toro Rosso team for crashing out on the opening lap at the Japanese Grand Prix, bringing down the curtain on his spell with the outfit.
Sainz Jr. made his Formula 1 bow with Toro Rosso in 2015 but will move to Renault for the next race in the United States, ahead of a full-time seat with the manufacturer next year.
Sainz Jr., started from the back row of the grid after taking on new power unit components, and tried to make gains through the opening sequence of corners.
However, Sainz Jr. lost control through Turn 6 at Suzuka and spun into the barriers, bringing his race to a premature end.
“How disappointing, this wasn’t the way I wanted to end my time with Toro Rosso, that’s for sure,” said Sainz Jr.
“I’d like to say sorry to the whole team for retiring on the first lap.
“I was trying to risk everything at the start to try and gain some positions, so I went around the outside at Turn 6 and I found a lot more dust on the track than I was expecting, and lost it; as simple as that.
“It’s a shame, because I was really looking forward to finishing on a high here in Suzuka with the team.”
Sainz Jr. nonetheless heaped praise on Toro Rosso, believing the outfit has enabled him to become “a more complete” driver since his debut.
“I’m going to remain positive: these three years here have been absolutely amazing – it’s been an ideal preparation for me,” he said.
“The driver I am today, compared to the driver I was in 2015, is a more complete and better one, and this is thanks to Toro Rosso, who are a great group of professionals.”
Sainz Jr. scored 112 points during his 56-race spell with the team.
