On July 3, 2022, Carlos Sainz Jr. finally achieved what he had been working toward his entire racing career—his first Formula 1 victory at the prestigious British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Spanish driver’s triumph came in his 150th Grand Prix start, making it a particularly emotional and long-awaited milestone.
Qualifying Magic: Securing Pole Position
The weekend began promisingly for Sainz when he mastered the wet conditions during Saturday’s qualifying session. Demonstrating exceptional car control and timing, he secured pole position, giving himself the best possible starting position for Sunday’s race. This was just his second career pole position, setting the stage for what would become a historic day.
Race Day Drama
The British Grand Prix delivered the excitement and chaos that Silverstone is known for. The race began with a horrifying first-lap incident involving multiple cars, including Zhou Guanyu’s Alfa Romeo, which flipped and slid upside down across the gravel trap before hitting the barriers. Thankfully, all drivers involved emerged unscathed, though the race was red-flagged immediately.
After the restart, Sainz initially lost the lead to Max Verstappen but quickly regained it when the Red Bull driver suffered damage after running over debris. However, his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc then applied pressure as the team faced difficult strategy decisions.
The Crucial Safety Car Period
The defining moment of the race came when Esteban Ocon’s Alpine stopped on track with a technical issue, bringing out the safety car with just 12 laps remaining. Ferrari made a pivotal decision to pit Sainz for fresh soft tires while leaving Leclerc out on worn hard tires.
When racing resumed, Sainz, equipped with grippier tires, immediately passed his teammate after respectfully but firmly dismissing a team order to maintain a gap to Leclerc. This decisive move proved critical as he pulled away from the intense battle that developed behind him between Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Sergio Perez.
Crossing the Line: Emotion and Relief
As Sainz crossed the finish line, his radio message captured the raw emotion of the moment: “Yes! We did it! Vamos! Yes! About time!” After years of being known as perhaps “the best driver never to win a Grand Prix,” the 27-year-old had finally broken through.
In the cool-down room and on the podium, the respect from his fellow competitors was evident. Even his primary rivals congratulated him warmly, acknowledging the significance of this career milestone.
A Family Legacy Continued
Carlos Sainz Jr.’s victory carried special significance given his family’s motorsport heritage. His father, Carlos Sainz Sr., is a legendary rally driver and two-time World Rally Champion. The younger Sainz’s breakthrough F1 win added another impressive chapter to the family’s racing legacy.
The Broader Impact
For Ferrari, Sainz’s win provided a welcome boost during a season marked by strategic errors and reliability issues. It demonstrated that the team had two drivers capable of winning races, even if their championship hopes were fading against the consistency of Red Bull and Verstappen.
For Sainz personally, the victory validated Ferrari’s decision to retain him alongside Leclerc and proved that his patient approach to his career had been worthwhile. After stints with Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren, he had finally reached the top step of the podium with the sport’s most iconic team.
Looking Forward
Sainz’s Silverstone triumph removed the immense pressure of securing that elusive first win. With that milestone achieved, he could race with more freedom and confidence, knowing he had proven himself capable of beating the best in the most competitive motorsport category in the world.
The victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix will forever remain a defining moment in Carlos Sainz’s career—the day when perseverance, skill, and opportunity perfectly aligned at one of Formula 1’s most historic venues.
Written by Simran Bharaj