Starting from 10th and 11th respectively after a problematic mixed weather qualifying session, Charles Leclerc and Sainz successfully used a one-stop strategy to move up the order and finish fourth and fifth.
Not only was getting the race strategy right a welcome reprieve for the beleaguered outfit, but Ferrari also showed much better race pace and consistency in Montreal's dry race after struggling mightily at the high-speed Barcelona circuit.
Sainz said Canada's layout allowed Ferrari to finally show its true pace, which was much closer to that the front-runners.
"I knew Canada was going to be a better track and it was confirmed on Friday pace already," he said when asked by Autosport about how track-specific Ferrari's improvement was.
"We just confirmed that at a lower deg circuit, also slower speed corners, which we know we are stronger at. And today we could show a bit more our true pace.
"It felt like we would have had fun there at the front if we would have started a bit more upfront. But solid pace, solid strategy also.
"Let's see how the higher speed circuits are, going back to Austria, Silverstone next."
Source: Autosport