Extra Caution at Spa 'Made No Sense'

Verstappen, Hamilton unhappy with delay at Belgian GP, but Sainz supports 'safe call'

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SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS — Multiple world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both accused race organizers of being overcautious on July 27 when the start of the Belgian Grand Prix was delayed by 80 minutes following heavy rain.

Red Bull's four-time world champion Verstappen said he believed that instead of suspending the race after one formation lap behind the safety car, race control should have kept the field out on the track to clear standing water.

"It wasn't even raining," he said, referring to the decision taken at the scheduled race start of 3 p.m. local time.

"Of course, between Turns 1 and 5, there was quite a bit of water.

"But if you do two or three laps behind the safety car, then it would have been a lot more clear — and the rest of the track was ready to go anyway.

"It's a bit of a shame. I knew that they would be a bit more cautious because of Silverstone, but this also didn't make sense.

"Then, it's better to say 'let's wait until it's completely dry' and we'll start on slicks because this is not really wet weather racing for me."