'My disappointing race should not be the focus' - Leclerc looks at Sainz's win as a positive

A beaming Carlos Sainz claimed his first Formula 1 victory in a spectacular triumph in the British Grand Prix on Sunday but his Ferrari team were still left facing questions.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, starting from his maiden pole position on his 150th race, resisted a late-charging Sergio Perez of Red Bull, who recovered from 17th, to take the flag by 3.7 seconds in front of a record 142 000 crowd.

Sainz's victory ended Red Bull's run of six consecutive victories.

But after another frustrating afternoon for Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth, there were still questions about Ferrari's tactics and race management on a day when a one-two finish appeared to be in sight.

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

Sainz, who spent his early racing career in England, was delighted to gain his maiden F1 win at the high-speed Silverstone circuit where he secured his first victory as a teenager.

"Silverstone is a special place for me," said Sainz. "My very first race win in Formula 3 was here and now 12 years later I get the same result in F1! It's a special result here for me.

"I don't know what to say. It's amazing. My first F1 win, 150 races later, with Ferrari and in Silverstone. I just cannot ask for more. It's a very special day. I am very, very happy. Lewis (Hamilton) was on it, I've heard, but we were able to stay on it. I struggled with the balance. It wasn't easy, but I stayed believing it could still happen and I needed to stay in the race - and the Safety Car came and I did it.

"It wasn't easy! I had nerves during the Safety Car restart. I needed to get it done."

Rebooting the championship

After a run of disappointing results, Ferrari had arrived at Silverstone badly needing to win to re-boot their