P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen says it made “no sense” to delay the start of the Belgian Grand Prix because of the weather – as he said Formula 1 may as well stop racing in the rain if it is this cautious.
Max Verstappen criticized the decision to delay the start of the Belgian Grand Prix due to weather conditions, stating it made “no sense” to be overly cautious and suggested that Formula 1 might as well stop racing in the rain if such delays continue. He felt the initial delay and the subsequent start behind the safety car were unnecessary, expressing frustration over the perceived excessive caution by the FIA following crashes at the wet British Grand Prix. Verstappen believed the race could have started sooner and disagreed with the visibility concerns raised during the formation lap, emphasizing that track conditions were suitable for racing.
Lewis Hamilton echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, mentioning that the race start was delayed longer than needed and that the FIA may have overreacted to previous incidents. However, Grand Prix Drivers Association director Carlos Sainz supported the FIA’s cautious approach, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety over potential regrets from accidents. George Russell, also a GPDA director, concurred with Sainz, highlighting the high speeds and risks involved in racing at iconic circuits like Spa-Francorchamps.
