Red flag at Spa after formation laps behind safety car - Heavy rain

f01e745ccfb4fe2dda452b2a22c4c0e3ec24927a

15:33, 29 Aug 2021

The Belgian Grand Prix has been red flagged before it has even begun due to heavy rain and standing water on track, causing visibility to be severely reduced.

Despite Max Verstappen stating it was good to start, it was clear drivers behind were struggling with visibility. Even the red lights on the rear wing could hardly be seen. The FIA therefore had no choice but to set the red flag.

Start suspended despite safety car formation laps

The original start was already postponed by almost half an hour, before they tried to get going. Even the spray behind the safety car was a lot for Verstappen. After two laps the drivers went into the pit lane to wait for better conditions. The start procedure has been suspended and the race red flagged.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	219
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	169
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	160
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	138
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	128
6	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	109
7	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	92
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	68
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	43
10	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	42
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	23
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
13	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	10
15	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
16	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
17	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	2
19	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
20	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
21	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
22	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0

Red flag at Spa after formation laps behind safety car - Heavy rain

Start suspended despite safety car formation laps

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Start of the Belgian Grand Prix postponed, lots of rain in Spa!

Can Perez still race in the Belgian Grand Prix? "This is not Le Mans"

Verstappen makes feelings clear on ‘superstar’ status during endurance racing

Ocon looks finished in F1: how he lost head-to-head to almost every teammate

Piastri’s 2026 struggles diagnosed as former McLaren driver reveals hidden problem

F1 Today: Honda reveals Aston Martin engine changes, Hamilton handed brutal title verdict

Vasseur drops harsh verdict on current F1 regulations: ‘I have mixed feelings’

Mercedes handed warning over new threat to 2026 F1 dominance

Lewis Hamilton hit with harsh reality over Ferrari title dream

Honda breaks silence on Aston Martin’s ‘secret’ engine upgrade ahead of Dutch GP

Verstappen makes feelings clear on ‘superstar’ status during endurance racing

Ocon looks finished in F1: how he lost head-to-head to almost every teammate

Piastri’s 2026 struggles diagnosed as former McLaren driver reveals hidden problem

F1 Today: Honda reveals Aston Martin engine changes, Hamilton handed brutal title verdict

Popular on GPBlog

Honda breaks silence on Aston Martin’s ‘secret’ engine upgrade ahead of Dutch GP

Lewis Hamilton hit with harsh reality over Ferrari title dream

F1 Today: Honda reveals Aston Martin engine changes, Hamilton handed brutal title verdict

More Ferrari power, an Antonelli grid penalty? Monza could be a title turning point

Season

Start of the Belgian Grand Prix postponed, lots of rain in Spa!

Can Perez still race in the Belgian Grand Prix? "This is not Le Mans"