"I mean money talks" | Formula 1 reacts to the CRAZY Belgian GP
We saw next to no racing at the Belgian Grand Prix but that doesn’t mean there weren’t big talking points. Everyone had something to say about the weather conditions, Sergio Perez’s re entry into the race caused plenty of discussion and there was so much confusion about what the deal was with the whole lap situation. Oh and of course George Russell picked up a podium. Here’s how the teams, drivers and pundits reacted to the CRAZY Belgian Grand Prix.
Before racing got underway Sergio Perez’s race looked over as he crashed out on his way to the grid. Conditions were treaturous and the Mexican paid the price as he clipped a curb and lost the rear, smashing into a barrier. Even Red Bull thought it was over as Perez was told: "Okay Checo that is us done. P1 and cool the engine.”
It was gutting for Perez who had work to do anyway starting down in seventh. Speaking to Sky Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "Very disappointing not to take the start. He reported that he could really see anything and then the car just got away from him. Pretty nasty conditions out there.” Horner certainly showed more sympathy than Helmut Marko who said: "The conditions are certainly borderline, but something like this shouldn‘t happen in the warm-up lap.."
Had the race started?
Not an ideal start for Red Bull, one man down and Max Verstappen had a big target on his back. However, when the race was red flagged after an attempted safety car start Red Bull sensed an opportunity to rebuild his car with a restart time not in sight. But would he be allowed to race? Initially Micahel Masi told them no
"I think that's a no. He has had help from outside to return to the pitlane," was Michael Masi's initial response to Jonathan Wheatley's question. Wheatley had other ideas responding: "This is not a Le Mans, so I think he can compete. Mechanical support only counts if the race has already started.” The question was however, had the race started? We still don’t really know in all honesty but Perez was allowed to restart albeit from the pit lane.
Perez’s incident was just a small segment of a crazy race that never was and the weather conditions continued to dominate as they had done all weekend. It looked like F1 had missed the best opportunity to race with the better conditions earlier in the day. However, even then they weren’t ideal. Verstappen seemed to think it was fine to race: “It’s wet, but for me it’s fine to race” he said on the radio. It’s fair to say the feelings weren’t mutual, Hamilton said: “I really can’t see anything behind” whilst Russell told his team "I can't see anything up until Turn 5, not even the red light of Verstappen ahead.” Even Horner agreed with his rivals telling Sky Sports: "From a grip point of view Max felt it was okay probably for those behind but its the visibility, and being at the front Max can see.”
A dire forecast
Conditions didn’t change and Guenther Steiner described the forecast as “dire” when there were rumours of racing on Monday.
So we never got any racing in the end but we did complete two laps behind the safety car which means we got a result, albeit half points and George Russell secured his first podium of his F1 career. Mid race he tweeted: "To all the fans getting soaked out here at Spa right now, sorry to keep you waiting and thanks for braving the weather! We know it’s frustrating for you all, but safety has to come first. Fingers crossed we can get a result today one way or another.”
And when his podium was confirmed he didn’t seem fazed by how it came adding: "YES GUYS!!! THAT’S A PODIUM!!!
"Doesn’t matter how it comes, they all count and the team deserves this so much. Get in there”
Money talks
It’s fair to say Lewis Hamilton wasn’t as impressed with the decision to do two laps, and therefore awarding half points, describing it as a “farce” and saying “money talks”.
"I mean, money talks," the Brit told Sky Sports F1. "It was literally the two laps to start the race, it's all a money scenario.”
"So everyone gets their money and I think the fans should get theirs back too because unfortunately they didn't get to see what they came and paid for.”
It wasn’t a normal race that’s for sure but next week we head to Zandvoort for the first Dutch Grand Prix since its return was announced, so hopefully we have more action then.
