Carlos Sainz has finally won a Formula 1 race. The Ferrari driver from Spain took the British Grand Prix, edging out Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton, who respectively finished second and third.
Sainz became the second Spanish-born driver to win a Formula 1 race, joining Fernando Alonso. After several second-place finishes this year, he has finally finished first. Charles Leclerc, Sainz's Ferrari teammate, finished fourth.
Carlos Sainz earns his 1st career win in Formula 1 in his 150th Grand Prix start. He becomes the 8th driver to win their 1st F1 race in the British Grand Prix (1st since 1995).
Sainz joins Fernando Alonso as the only Spanish-born drivers to win an F1 race. pic.twitter.com/4hhdVxEiTQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 3, 2022
Several stars from other sports were tuned into the British GP and were thrilled with what they saw. Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid said the race was amazing but wished that Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who finished seventh, had a more impactful day. Arizona Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt loved what he saw, too.
What an amazing race!!! WOW. Just wish Verstappen was involved somehow
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 3, 2022
what a race!!! #BritishGP
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 3, 2022
Willy Hernangomez of the New Orleans Pelicans was thrilled to see his fellow Spaniard taking the win. Zach Ertz of the Cardinals congratulated Sainz on his first Formula 1 win as well.
https://twitter.com/willyhg94/status/1543631348321161217?s=20&t=6MGfsqChisiEbzUNiETFsA
What a @F1 race! Congratulations @Carlossainz55!
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) July 3, 2022
In addition to Sainz's first victory, the race was memorable because of the crash involving Zhou Guanyu. The Alfa Romero driver's car went flying upside down and ended up off the course on Turn 1. George Russell of Mercedes rushed over to check on his fellow competitor, who exited the course on a stretcher but was released from the medical center later on.
While Guanyu's crash will be a massive talking point about the race, so too will the victory from Carlos Sainz. The Ferrari driver taking home the British GP victory was a massive movement in his Formula 1 career.