Jeremy Clarkson Sides with Max Verstappen on Belgian GP Rain Delay
Why it matters: Celebrity F1 enthusiast Jeremy Clarkson has publicly supported Max Verstappen's criticism of the FIA's handling of the rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, creating a notable disagreement with Mercedes driver George Russell.
The context: The start of the Belgian Grand Prix was delayed by over an hour due to heavy rain and poor visibility. The FIA opted for an extremely cautious approach, including a red flag during the Safety Car-led formation lap.
Verstappen's view:
- Verstappen expressed frustration, calling the caution "a bit silly" and "way too cautious" during the initial delay.
- After finishing fourth, he reiterated his disappointment, stating, "We spoke after Silverstone to be a little bit more cautious with the decisions, but this was the other extreme for me."
- He believed the race should have started at the scheduled time, arguing that two laps behind the Safety Car would have cleared enough water for racing, especially as parts of the track were already dry.
Clarkson's take: On social media, Clarkson echoed Verstappen's frustration, questioning the race director's decisions during the delays, a post that garnered over two million views.
Russell's counter-argument:
- As a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), George Russell strongly defended Race Director Rui Marques.
- Russell stated it would have been "stupid" to race given the visibility issues, especially considering the past tragedies at Spa-Francorchamps involving Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van 't Hoff.
- He emphasized that driving at over 200 mph out of Eau Rouge with zero visibility is not racing, but "stupidity," and supported the decision to wait for drier conditions.
The big picture: This incident highlights the ongoing tension between drivers' desire to race and the FIA's paramount focus on safety, particularly at a challenging circuit like Spa with a recent history of serious accidents.