Sainz king of Silverstone, Leclerc 4th Puncture for Verstappen: only 7th

Race characterized by a frightening accident by Russell, Albon and Zhou After the safety car comes the first career triumph for the Spaniard from Ferrari

Silverstone (united kingdom)

Ferrari regained victory after two months and did so with Carlos Sainz who, at Silverstone, after 150 gp, found his first career victory and lined up Sergio Perez’s Red Bull and a wild Lewis Hamilton, Charles’s Ferrari fourth Leclerc, “sacrificed” by the strategies of the Maranello team when during the safety car (caused by the retirement of Esteban Ocon) while he was in the lead he was not allowed to change tires unlike his teammate. A choice that prevented the Monegasque from nibbling points at Verstappen who finished in 7th place.

The Silverstone Grand Prix, tenth round of the formula one world championship, that of fear, has two faces, with the accident at the start involving Russell’s Mercedes, Albon’s Williams and Guanyu Zhou’s Alfa Romeo, with the latter two that kept everyone apprehensive: the Chinese’s Alpha overturned several times with the halo – the protection introduced in 2018 – which literally saved Zhou’s life. The Alfa Romeo driver was under observation at the circuit medical center for a couple of hours before being discharged while Albon had to be transferred to the hospital to carry out some precautionary checks. The gp stops for an hour and in the chaos of the post-accident there is also the invasion of the track by some protesters promptly stopped.

An hour later he starts again and Sainz – who had been surprised at the first start by Verstappen – this time keeps his position and takes the lead chased by the Dutchman and teammate Leclerc. An error around the 11th lap allows Verstappen to overtake the Spaniard, but the advantage of the world champion’s Red Bull does not last long because a puncture and unidentified car problems bring Sainz back to the lead and Leclerc to chase and ask for the way . Up to the safety car. Then the last laps were another race with Sainz defending the first place, Perez recovering up to second and Hamilton fighting like the best days with Leclerc who had to settle for 4th place, with Verstappen’s relief who continues. to lead the world championship with 34 points ahead of Perez and 43 over Leclerc.

Sainz celebrates his first career victory: «It’s fantastic – he says at the end of the race – the first victory after 150 races with Ferrari at Silverstone, I couldn’t ask for more. At the beginning I suffered a lot from the pressure that Verstappen put on me, but then with the strategy I managed to make this race my own. Silverstone is a special place ». –