Formula 1: Sainz converts pole into maiden Grand Prix victory at Silverstone
The Spaniard finished ahead of the Red Bull of Sergio Perez and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton in a race that saw the deployment of a safety car twice.
The Spaniard finished ahead of the Red Bull of Sergio Perez and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton in a race that saw the deployment of a safety car twice.
The rain had begun falling on Silverstone just minutes before qualifying began, with Verstappen comfortably heading both first and second qualification (Q1 and Q2).
Red Bull currently sit at the top of the constructors' championship - having won seven out of the opening nine races of the season - and now lead second-placed Ferrari by 76 points.
With overtaking very difficult on the street circuit for the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from the front row is an advantage. Thus, the all-important qualifying session saw Leclerc top Q1, Q2 and Q3 on the way to take Ferrari's 12th pole position in the Principality with a sensational time of 1m 11.376s
Daniel Ricciardo was garage-bound for the first 10 minutes of FP2 with McLaren working on the rear of his car. Soon after emerging, the Australian brought out a red flag having lost the rear of the car and smashed into the barriers at Swimming Pool.
Sainz, who like Leclerc is now contracted to drive for Ferrari until 2024, had his multi-year deal announced on Thursday ahead of the first Sprint weekend of 2022 at Imola.
The 27-year-old Spaniard had a stellar debut season with Ferrari last year, scoring points in all races and finishing on the podium four times on his way to a career-best fifth place in the standings, two places above teammate Charles Leclerc.
A brilliant drive from the German saw Ferrari upset Mercedes' applecart!
A brilliant drive from the German saw Ferrari upset Mercedes' applecart!
