P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies said he was “surprised” by the FIA’s decision to delay the start of F1’s Belgian GP due to rain that fell before the scheduled time.
Red Bull chief Laurent Mekies expressed surprise at the FIA’s decision to postpone the start of the Belgian Grand Prix due to rain before the scheduled start time. The lengthy delay due to heavy rain at Spa-Francorchamps angered drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who believed the conditions were suitable for racing. Mekies, a former FIA Safety Director, acknowledged the FIA’s considerations but was shocked by the late start. The delay and lack of wet running during the race affected Red Bull’s performance, with Verstappen finishing fourth behind Charles Leclerc. Despite the setback, Mekies maintained they wouldn’t have altered their set-up due to the expectation of more wet running. The delayed start and limited wet running impacted Red Bull’s race performance and allowed Leclerc to secure a podium finish.
