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Carlos Sainz Capitalizes At Silverstone For Maiden Race Win

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 03: Race winner Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari, Second placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Third placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 03, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202207030464 // Usage for editorial use only //

Carlos Sainz finally got his win. Driving for a Ferrari team that has shown glimpses of excellence in 2022, the Spanish driver has often looked out of the mix compared to teammate Charles Leclerc. Earning the pole for Sunday’s (July 3) British Grand Prix did not come as a shock as Sainz has shown speed all season. That he converted his position at the front for a win, his first-ever, came as validation of a career spent toiling.

After 150 races in Formula 1, Sainz finally stood atop the podium while also providing Ferrari a glimmer that it can still manage to take the fight to Red Bull in the constructor’s title. With Sainz taking first and Leclerc fourth, Red Bull is still managing a 63-point lead over the Prancing Horse (328–265) but with 13 races left, that lead is not one that is secure.

Sergio Perez might have something to say about the constructor’s title, however. After starting fourth, he suffered damage during the second standing start when Leclerc collided with him, sending him to the rear for a front wing change. He efficiently moved through the field, picking up positions with aplomb to grab second in the race.

Lewis Hamilton, starting fifth, moving up to third at the start, then re-starting fifth on the second start, still worked his way up to a third-place result. At one point, Hamilton looked like he could threaten for the win but a late safety car for Esteban Ocon’s stalled car removed that possibility.

The driver most upset by the safety car, Leclerc, finished fourth after leading before Ocon’s failure. Unable to pit for fresh tyres, Leclerc became an easy target for everyone behind him that enjoyed a stop for new soft compounds. His fall could have been worse as Fernando Alonso, hounded him the last couple laps, and ultimately finished fifth.

Lando Norris, looked prime for fifth but his late stop for tyres put him behind Alonso and he never could make up the spot. Max Verstappen, who at one point held the lead and looked to be on his way to yet another victory in 2022, suffered damage to his floor and could not muster the speed to race at the front. He wound up seventh but still holds the lead in the championship by 34 points over Perez (181–147).

Mick Schumacher scored the first points in his F1 career and nearly passed Verstappen in the final laps in doing so. His…

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