Formula 1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have openly criticised race officials following the rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix, accusing them of being excessively cautious in their decision-making.
The Spa-Francorchamps race was delayed due to heavy rain, with drivers forced to wait for nearly two hours before the event finally got underway behind the safety car. Both Hamilton and Verstappen expressed frustration at the lengthy delay, with the seven-time world champion branding the situation as "silly".
Drivers Voice Their Discontent
Hamilton, who finished third in the truncated race, didn't hold back in his assessment of the situation. "We should have started the race on time," the Mercedes driver stated. "The conditions were raceable, and the delay was unnecessary."
Reigning champion Verstappen echoed these sentiments, suggesting that F1's current approach to wet weather races has become too conservative. "We're Formula 1 drivers - we should be able to handle these conditions," the Red Bull star commented.
Safety Concerns vs Racing Spirit
The incident has reignited the debate about how Formula 1 balances safety concerns with the sport's competitive nature. While race director Niels Wittich defended the decision as being in the interest of driver safety, several competitors argued that such lengthy delays undermine the spectacle of Grand Prix racing.
This isn't the first time wet weather procedures have caused controversy in F1. The sport has faced criticism in recent years for what some perceive as an increasingly risk-averse approach to racing in challenging conditions.
With the Belgian GP ultimately being called early due to the weather, many are now questioning whether Formula 1 needs to revisit its protocols for wet races to find a better balance between safety and competition.
