Rain Stopped the Start

The Belgian Grand Prix, held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, experienced a delayed start due to weather conditions. After the formation lap behind the safety car was completed, FIA race control decided to suspend the event with a red flag. The main reason was poor visibility caused by the spray lifted by the cars.

The decision came after evaluating the risks of racing on a fully wet track, where visibility was nearly nonexistent in some sections. Constant rain throughout the morning in the Ardennes region complicated the situation and forced an adjustment to the original schedule.

Updated Time and Unusual Grid

It was eventually announced that the race would start at 4:20 p.m. local time (7:20 a.m. PT / 8:20 a.m. MT / 9:20 a.m. CT / 10:20 a.m. ET). Although the delay frustrated many fans, it was a necessary precaution to ensure driver safety.