Lewis Hamilton has joined the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in calling the rain-impacted Belgian GP a farce and claimed the fans were robbed of a race. Thanks to torrential rain at the Spa-Francorchamps track, the start of the race was originally delayed by 25 minutes and then the session was red-flagged for over 2 hours. FIA has to even invoke a Force Majeure under the international sporting code to save the race somehow. Eventually, the cars went on the track with a one-hour timer but even then after two laps, the session was again red-flagged thanks to the rain which never ended and the fading light at the track.
The cars ran behind the safety car for the two laps and pole-sitter Max Verstappen was declared the winner with all the drivers who qualified in the points getting half the standard points. Many drivers including Hamilton have come out and criticised this move and even Verstappen has admitted he didn't want to win the race like this as no one technically raced.
It was also quite hard for the fans who have come out in the droves in the torrid conditions and waited for hours to only get a farcical 2 lap race. Hamilton put out a posting asking for the FIA and F1 to refund the tickets to the fans.
The 7-time world champion saw his lead of the world championship reduced as a by product of the farcical race proceedings
"It's a real shame. We obviously can't control the weather. I'm sure all of us love racing in the rain, especially here in Spa. It's one of the greatest circuits in the world. I think today, I think just really disappointed for the fans. They stood out there for absolute hours in the rain, no covering in the grandstands - I think maybe on the pit grandstand there is - but cold and wet and particularly the kids. More importantly, they had to spend so much money with travelling, accommodation and then they didn't get a race. Unfortunate, and I'm a little bit confused as to why they restarted the race because between the two hours when they stopped us the first time to the last time, there was no change in weather," said Hamilton in the aftermath of what became the shortest race in F1 history.
Max Verstappen's pole position ensured that he won the race though got half the points than a normal win
"But... yes... I mean I know why, but I do feel the fans were robbed of a race today and I think they probably should get their money back. And if the fans can't get their money back, Hamilton reckons a "free race" should be on the cards. I'd absolutely come back," he added. "I love it here so if there is a way we could find a window where it wasn't raining and we give the fans a free race, that would be great," he added, suggesting that perhaps the next race could be free for them.
Logistically, it was a tricky situation for F1 as this race was part of a triple header and teams had to be ready for the race in the Netherlands which starts this weekend. At Spa, volunteer stewards would be impossible if the race was shifted on Monday and for the F1 also, refunds would probably not be possible as that would be the prerogative of the promoter of the race.
