Max Verstappen criticized the decision to delay the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, arguing that it was unnecessary. The race, which faced heavy rain conditions before the start, was delayed by over an hour. Verstappen, who was ready to take advantage of a wet race, felt the drivers could have handled the conditions, and the delay was “a shame for everyone.”
Verstappen’s Critique of the Delay
Verstappen expressed frustration after the FIA decided to delay the race due to poor visibility caused by spray from the cars. “Three o’clock, straight away. It was not even raining,” Verstappen said when asked when the race should have started. He believed that if the drivers had done a couple of laps behind the safety car, the standing water would have been cleared, and the race could have gone on as planned.
The Dutch driver, who finished fourth in the race won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, expressed his dismay at the decision, stating, “At the end of the day, they do what they want. I just find it is a bit of a shame for everyone, you will never see these classic kinds of wet races anymore.”
Russell Defends the FIA’s Decision
In contrast to Verstappen, George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, supported the FIA’s decision. He emphasized the safety concerns on a circuit as fast and challenging as Spa-Francorchamps, where visibility was dangerously poor. “When you’re doing over 200 miles an hour out of Eau Rouge, you literally cannot see anything, you may as well have a blindfold on. That isn’t racing; it’s just stupidity,” Russell argued. He concluded that the FIA made the right call, especially since the weather was expected to clear up by 4 pm.
Other Drivers’ Opinions
Verstappen’s stance was also supported by Lewis Hamilton, who had a strong performance after starting 18th and finishing seventh. Hamilton agreed with Verstappen, stating that his car was set up for wet conditions, but the race organizers waited too long for the track to dry. “Especially at the end, it was a dry line with hardly any spray,” Hamilton said.
The differing opinions highlight the tension between the drivers who were eager to race and those prioritizing safety. Ultimately, the FIA’s decision ensured that safety was maintained, despite the disappointment among some of the racers.
