Hamilton and Verstappen question race delay as others back FIA
The race at Spa-Francorchamps was delayed for an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for rain to stop and conditions to dry out.
The safety car then led the field for four laps before a rolling start.
"I think we could have started way sooner, that's not ideal," Red Bull's four times world champion Verstappen told reporters, adding that in the end there had been very little racing in the wet.
Hamilton, who went from the pit lane to seventh, said he did not think the rolling start was necessary.
"I don't really know why they did that one, because it had dried up quite a lot and the spray wasn't that bad," added the Briton.
The high-speed Spa circuit is the longest lap on the calendar and weather conditions can be treacherous. It also has a tragic past.
French Formula Two driver Anthoine Hubert died in a crash at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix at the exit of Raidillon, at the top of the famed Eau Rouge, while Dutch teenager Dilano van't Hoff died in a junior series crash in 2023.
The list is much longer when the sport's distant past is considered.
"I think the past few years, particularly here, we've given the FIA feedback that we would much rather be on the safe side than risk anything," said McLaren's race winner and championship leader Oscar Piastri.
"I think that's what we did today. If you were to be picky, maybe we could have done one less formation lap. But in the grand scheme of things, if that's one lap too early, is it worth it? No."
Ferrari's third-placed finisher Charles Leclerc, whose family friend Jules Bianchi suffered fatal injuries in a crash at the rain-hit 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, agreed.
"On a track like this with what happened historically, I think you cannot forget about it. For that reason, I'd rather be safe than too early," he said. "Maybe it was a little bit on the late side, but I wouldn't have changed anything."
Williams' Carlos Sainz, who started near the back and would have suffered in the spray, supported race control.
"In a normal track, yes, I think we could have started maybe 5-10 minutes earlier. In Spa-Francorchamps and the history of this track, it's better safe than sorry," said the Spaniard.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
Starmer hints Lionesses will be honoured after Euro 2025 triumph
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested England's Lionesses will receive honours after their dramatic Euro 2025 victory, declaring: 'Recognition is coming.' The Lionesses became back-to-back European champions after beating Spain in a penalty shoot-out in Basel last Sunday – the first senior England side to lift a major trophy overseas. The Prime Minister praised the players for inspiring a generation, including his own daughter, and for representing 'decency, fairness and respect'. Among those tipped for recognition are Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive penalty in the final, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who saved two Spanish spot-kicks. Head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the win, could be made an honorary dame. The Cabinet Office oversees the honours process and recipients are not confirmed until they are officially announced, but sporting heroes have often been rewarded. After the Lionesses' 2022 win, captain Leah Williamson was made an OBE, while Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White received MBEs. Sir Keir said the Lionesses' success was about 'more than football', citing their resilience in coming from behind against Sweden, Italy and Spain, and their stand against racist abuse during the tournament. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said: 'When the Lionesses put that England shirt on, they stand for what we stand for together: England, in all its glory, with our shared history and values. 'The pride, resilience and unity that define this team define the very best of who we are.' He added: 'What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable. So recognition is coming – and it will be worthy of their historic success.' The Government, he said, was committed to delivering a legacy of 'equal access to all sport for girls and boys' in schools – a key demand from the squad after their 2022 triumph. 'The Lionesses have made an entire nation proud,' he said. 'We're determined to deliver a legacy they can be proud of too.'
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Bruno Fernandes is now a square peg in a round hole… Man Utd should do all they can to sell £100m captain
MANCHESTER UNITED are set to be offered a second chance to make what would be the right decision — selling Bruno Fernandes. But the fear of creating instability just as Ruben Amorim has got things back on track — and the impact on fans — suggests they will bottle the big call. 6 6 Fernandes is more than just the Red Devils' captain — he is also their best player AND the glue that binds the dressing room together. No wonder so many supporters and team-mates celebrated when the Portuguese midfielder turned his back on the £60million-a-year, five-year deal from Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in June and committed himself to Old Trafford. Fernandes remains the heartbeat of the squad, a role he carries out with diligence and duty. But with boss Amorim having spent £127.5m to buy two starters who will fill Bruno's best position, it has forced him into a deeper role that fits him like boots three sizes too small. If the 30-year-old did go to current suitors Al-Nassr, it would offer a chance to make Amorim's rebuild even more permanent. In truth, it might have been better for everyone if Fernandes had packed his bags earlier this summer following Al-Hilal's £100m bid. But while the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool would not hesitate to do a deal that makes sense on a commercial and sporting level, United seem far less able to be bold. 6 Fernandes was outstanding in the first game of their Premier League Summer Series, the 2-1 win over West Ham in New Jersey last Sunday. He converted their fifth-minute penalty opener, curled in the second and linked up with £62.5m new recruit Matheus Cunha. It was Fernandes at his best, playing as one of the two attackers behind the No 9, getting on the ball in the areas where he could cause problems and revelling in the responsibility. Behind the scenes, too, as Amorim's new approach appears to be bearing fruit, the skipper has been integral. Fernandes and Harry Maguire are viewed as leaders and key influencers, with the Portugal international a social butterfly who can bond and interact with all the players and other club staff. But even though United were far too good for Bournemouth in Wednesday's 4-1 victory in Chicago, Fernandes' return to a deeper role signalled issues that may become hard to control. In signing Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and targeting RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Amorim has made clear that he envisages a new £200m attacking trident. That means Fernandes will have to play as one of the two deeper midfielders in Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 wing-back system. A position where his attacking instincts, the things that make him stand out, will have to be tempered, to avoid leaving the other central midfielder, either Manuel Ugarte or the experienced-but-leg-weary Casemiro, horribly exposed. 6 Amorim recognises he may be taking out some of his captain's effectiveness. But he said: 'I really like when Bruno has the ball. 'Last year I felt that sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up and then we missed Bruno near the box. 'But we miss Bruno sometimes when he's playing as a No 10 but there are times when he's playing there and can't get the ball. 'He runs a lot and has a lot of endurance. He's smart and ready for the physicality, playing deep or as a midfielder.' Fernandes is a goalscorer and a goal threat. He will not be as effective from deeper. 6 Alternatively, his desire to get forward and impact the game could result in a lack of positional discipline, a flaw which opposing managers will swiftly jump on. Amorim tried to paint a different picture, arguing that with his side now having more thrust and dynamism going forward: 'If you have a player with the quality of Bruno, without pressure on the ball, it gives us more options.' Yet if United had banked Al-Hilal's £100m — and Al-Nassr may bideven more — they might have landed a more natural and defence-minded option to fill the void. Round pegs, round holes. Amorim's system relies on wing-backs providing width but the danger is them being caught out of defensive position, with the onus on the central midfielders to cover any shortcomings. That is not Fernandes' prime asset. Had he chosen Saudi in June, it would have left broken hearts. Doing it now might cause despair. Yet, perhaps, getting cash to spend would be better for the club — presuming they use it wisely. 6
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Rimac Reveals Bugatti Tourbillon And Nevera Secrets As Testing Ramps Up
Mate Rimac Reveals Bugatti & Rimac Secrets The Bugatti Tourbillon is deep into its development and testing phases, with numerous prototypes being tested in various conditions around the world. As it draws nearer, Top Gear got the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming hypercar from Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, who gave the publication a tour of the massive facility where Tourbillon prototypes are being built (the production cars will be made in Molsheim, of course) and Neveras are prepared for their customers. Along with recapping and elaborating on many of the Tourbillon's neat innovations and design elements, Mr. Rimac also revealed some interesting details that would not be found in a press release, including the fact that the Nevera shares only a single part with another vehicle and that the electric hypercar almost formed the basis of the Tourbillon. How The Rimac-Based Bugatti Would Have Come To Life Source: Bradley Iger/Autoblog Mate explains that before he was directly involved with Bugatti, initial ideas included using most of the Nevera to form the basis of a new hybrid hypercar. Rimac imagined using the entire front half of the car, carrying over important elements like the dual electric motors and the steering system, cooling components, brakes, and crash structure. The battery of the Nevera would also have been retained, and then aft of the passenger compartment, a V16 would have been mated to the package. This was passed on for several reasons, but the simplest way to describe why this simpler route was not taken is with the word compromise. Not only would the dynamics of the Bugatti have been jeopardized, but the value of the brand would have been diminished, too. As Rimac succinctly said when referring to innovations like the speaker-free audio system in the cabin: 'If we [Bugatti] don't do it, who will?' In other words, Bugatti exists to set standards, not follow trends or take shortcuts, and although collaboration is okay – see the Tourbillon's Rimac-designed-and-made battery and Czinger/Divergent-sourced 3D-printed suspension – everything on a Bugatti must still be specific to the bespoke. Audi R8 Parts In A World-Beating Hypercar In the video embedded at the bottom of this article, TG's Oliie Kew notes, while looking at a naked Rimac Nevera R monocoque, that every component bears a Rimac stamp. Mate proudly says that the 'only component' shared with another car is the HVAC box from an Audi R8, and even that has been modified. Doing everything in-house must be expensive, and it is – Mate says that the Nevera project cost the team over €150 million, or around $173 million. Naturally, the conversation gravitated towards the disappointing sales figures of the hypercar, and although Mate concedes that the Nevera didn't sell out of all 150 units, he calls it 'the most successful electric sports car,' saying the company has 'sold most of them,' though an exact figure was not revealed. According to Bloomberg, Rimac has sold 50 cars as of July 2025. By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. Bugatti Tourbillon Technology Coming To Everyday Cars Source: Bugatti During the tour, Mate often noted that battery packs and other components are being developed and produced for automakers that do not always wish to be named, and one example of that is highlighted around the half-hour mark, when Mate reveals that the front electric powertrain of the Tourbillon, which was developed specifically for the hypercar, has been repurposed as a rear-mounted electric motor for an unnamed upcoming SUV and sedan pairing. By developing the tech for hypercars first, the most costly research & development processes are already paid for, making the large-scale democratization of high-density energy storage and ultra-efficient motors cost-effective. In summary, the Nevera may have been a commercial failure in some ways, but it formed the foundation of the Rimac Technologies design and manufacturing juggernaut, served as a cautionary tale for Bugatti and others, and reset the bar for hypercar performance. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
