Max Verstappen has warned there will “never be classic wet races” again, as he voiced discontent at race control’s hesitation to begin Formula 1‘s Belgian Grand Prix.
A pre-race downpour caused the start procedure to be suspended as multiple drivers – including pole-sitter Lando Norris – reported poor visibility on the formation lap.
Verstappen expressed his irritation at the call over team radio as a protracted 80-minute period passed until the drivers were given the green light to go back on track.
The Dutchman piled extreme pressure on Charles Leclerc as the track dried, but he couldn’t get past the Ferrari prior to the crossover to slicks arriving on the 12th lap.
Verstappen was unable to haul his Red Bull back into the one-second window needed to activate DRS as he crossed the line 1.5 seconds behind Leclerc in third place.
Having ditched the set-up that he used to win the Sprint to run a more loaded rear wing suited to the wet, Verstappen admitted his RB21 was “quite difficult” to handle.
That prompted him to take issue with the delayed start, a decision that he believes was based on what transpired in similar conditions at Silverstone three weeks ago.
“On the Intermediates of course, we made a choice with the set-up, and then they only allow us to drive in almost slick conditions, so yeah, that’s a bit disappointing.
“Of course we spoke out for Silverstone to be a little bit more cautious with the decisions, but this was then the other extreme for me.
“And then of course the choice that we made with the set-up of the car, was then of course the wrong one, because they didn’t allow us to race in the wet.
“Once we got to the dry tyres, we were just too slow in the straight.
“Then with the general balance problems that I already have with this car, it made everything just a bit worse.”
Verstappen contended that the track would have been in a raceable condition sooner had the drivers continued circulating at the outset to remove the standing water.
Asked when he thinks the race should have commenced, Verstappen answered: “3 o’clock straight away!
“It was not even raining, and of course between Turn 1 and 5 there was quite a bit of water.
“But if you do two or three laps behind the Safety Car, then it would have been a lot more clear, and the rest of the track was anyway ready to go.
“Yeah, it’s a bit of a shame. Of course I knew that they would be a bit more cautious after Silverstone, but this also didn’t make sense.
“Then it’s better to say, you know what, let’s wait until it’s completely dry, and then we just start on slicks, because this is not really wet weather racing for me.”
When told that other drivers had complained about being unable to see, Verstappen responded: “Between [Turns] 1 and 5 it was, but only for a few laps.
“The more you run, it will be much better. And if you can’t see, you can always lift. And at one point you will see.”
Verstappen concerned about F1 direction
Verstappen has acknowledged that Spa-Francorchamps‘ troubled past when it comes to wet-weather running could have contributed to indecision over the race start.
However, the reigning F1 champion, renowned as a specialist in precarious conditions, has warned that the sport has become too overcautious when rain is prevalent.
“Of course at the end of the day they do what they want, right? I mean, they decide,” he added.
“But I just find it is a bit of a shame for everyone, you will never see these classic kind of wet races anymore then, which, yeah, I think they still can happen.
“I think also the rain that fell afterwards was still manageable, if we would have kept lapping anyway.
“And then you make all the decisions based on wet racing, so then also it just ruins your whole race a bit.
“But, I mean, realistically P3 would have been the highest possible.
“We were very close to that, but at the same time it also still highlighted our weaknesses with the car. That’s something that is not so easy to fix at the moment.”
READ MORE – Why Red Bull has moved Max Verstappen away from a winning set-up at F1 Belgian GP
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