Clarkson shocked like Verstappen at FIA amid Russell 'stupid' claims

As the race start neared, the wet Spa-Francorchamps track suscitated complaints from various F1 drivers during the formation lap with regards to poor visibility, which prompted the governing body's representatives to put off the beginning of the event.

Max Verstappen judged the decision to be too cautious. After the race's completion the Dutchman went as far as to say that wet weather racing could be a part of Formula One no longer, should the trend continue.

Lewis Hamilton sided with Verstappen and believed that conditions were fit for racing, and added that there was no need for an IndyCar-like rolling start.

As the formation lap was underway, a message from Race Control showed on the screens indicating red flag conditions were now in place, thus suspending the race start procedures and all cars mandated to return to the pits.

Clarkson a regular F1 enthusiast, often making appearances on the paddock at various Formula One Grands Prix, disagreed with the decision. Taking to his social media account on X he said: “Dear God in heaven. What is the race director at Spa doing?”

Speaking after the F1 Belgian Grand Prix, George Russell, co-chair of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association), to media like GPblog gave his stern position on the matter.

“So I think, considering it was clearly going to be dry from four o’clock onwards, I think they made the right call,” Russell concluded.