Max Verstappen and Lando Norris found themselves at odds before the Belgian Grand Prix even began, disagreeing on how to handle the wet track conditions at Spa-Francorchamps. The race was delayed after the formation lap due to heavy rainfall, which left standing water on the circuit and caused poor visibility.
Verstappen, speaking over Red Bull radio, criticised the decision to delay the start, calling it 'a bit silly' and suggesting that drivers should 'just run a few laps'. The four-time world champion argued that the organisers were 'way too cautious' and warned that heavier rain was approaching, which could lead to a three-hour delay.
In contrast, Norris, who had secured pole position, voiced serious concerns about visibility during the formation lap. He told his McLaren engineer that his own visibility was minimal and speculated it would be even worse for those behind him. The FIA ultimately red-flagged the race, citing visibility issues as the primary reason.
The 2021 edition of the Belgian GP famously ran for three hours but completed only two laps behind the safety car due to dangerous conditions, with half points awarded. Alpine's Pierre Gasly acknowledged the frequent weather issues at Spa, expressing hope that the race would start soon for the fans.
