Key talking points from British GP: A first-time winner, horrifying crash that halted the race

Carlos Sainz took his maiden Formula 1 victory when he reigned supreme at the 2022 British Grand Prix.

The race was marred with drama, and non-stop action from the word go, and the result was anyone's guess as more than one driver looked poised for victory.

Here are our big takeaways from the season's most entertaining race so far:

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Leclerc drove like a champion

The race weekend saw different weather conditions ruling the roost at various stages.

In qualifying, Sainz posted the fastest time when it mattered, with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc down in third. In the race, taking place in dry conditions, Sainz had it all to play for against Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing, second) and Leclerc.

Sainz was down on pace compared to the other two, yet Ferrari gave him the benefit throughout the race. Even when Leclerc was faster, the team still opted to do all they could to keep the pole sitter in front.

READ: WRAP | 2022 British Grand Prix - Sainz takes first F1 victory

But it all went haywire when the safety car was deployed.

Ferrari brought Sainz, running in second, in for a set of new Soft tyres, opting to keep Leclerc, leading the race, out on a set of worn Hard tyres. When the race resumed, Leclerc was a sitting duck as Sainz passed him for the race's lead and the win.

"I don't know what to say," Sainz said after the race. "It's amazing. It's a very special day I will never forget."

With Perez and Hamilton on the attack, Leclerc did all he could to keep them at bay. But with worn tyres and a race strategy that did not favour him and his championship ambitions, he had no other option but to concede the positions.

In the grander scheme of