Lewis Hamilton Joins Max Verstappen in Criticizing Belgian GP Delay

Lewis Hamilton was not happy with the FIA's decision to delay the Belgian GP start due to poor weather conditions.

Lewis Hamilton Joins Max Verstappen in Criticizing Belgian GP Delay

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via Getty)

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The Belgian GP became another point of controversy in Formula 1. The wet weather conditions forced officials to delay the start of the race. This decision was not appreciated by Max Verstappen who was furious with Race Control. Now, Verstappen’s arch-rival, Lewis Hamilton has chimed in on the conversation.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is no stranger to difficult weather. In 2021, the race was abandoned after just a couple of laps under the Safety Car, with drivers being given half the points. This time around, the FIA waited for the track to become dry due to concerns over visibility. With the track almost drying up by the time the cars hit the track.

Lewis Hamilton revealed that Ferrari had tweaked his car to suit the expected weather conditions. The seven-time world champion started the race from the pitlane. However, officials waited for the track to be dry, which ultimately made the set-up unimportant. Moreover, Hamilton also pointed out that FIA could’ve done the standard standing start procedure instead of the rolling start. The Ferrari driver insisted that things could’ve been far different.

Yeah, my car was set up for [the wet-weather racing conditions]. They waited for it to dry. Definitely could have done a standing start. Especially at the end there. It was almost a dry line. So definitely could have done it.

Lewis Hamilton said, as quoted by MotorsportWeek

The 40-year-old’s comments are similar to Max Verstappen. Verstappen was not happy with the way the race was delayed. The Dutchman claimed that Formula 1 missed a classic wet race due to its focus on being too careful. Hamilton and Verstappen have come out as vocal critics over the FIA’s extra cautious approach at the track.

Lewis Hamilton ‘kept shouting’ to start Belgian GP

The frustration over the race delay was not just limited to post-race questions. Lewis Hamilton even confessed that he was fed up with waiting while he was inside the cockpit of the SF-25.

Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)
Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)

The seven-time world champion claimed that when he was doing laps under the Safety Car, he desperately wanted the race to begin. So much so, the Briton was almost shouting in his mind. Unfortunately, the situation dragged on for longer than expected as cars continued behind the Safety Car. Lewis Hamilton claimed that perhaps the sport was being too careful after drivers complained about visibility issues at the British GP.

We obviously started the race a little too late, I would say. I kept shouting, it’s ready to go, it’s ready to go. And they kept going round and round and round. So I think they were probably overreacting from the last race — where we asked them not to restart the race too early because visibility was bad.

Lewis Hamilton added

Certainly, Lewis Hamilton is a racing veteran. The 40-year-old knows when it’s okay to start a race even during difficult conditions. However, safety will always remain a priority in Formula 1. The delays at Spa-Francorchamps might upset Hamilton and Verstappen, as the two are hard-fought racers who never back down from a challenge. Though, they were done with the intention of avoiding any major incident.

Read More: “Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda,” Lando Norris Gives Brutal Verdict on Close Defeat to Oscar Piastri at Belgian GP