Rain chaos at the Belgian Grand Prix: the audience in Spa-Francorchamps had to wait more than three hours for the race to start.
In the end, Max Verstappen decided for himself.
The international press writes:
Great Britain
Daily Mail:
“Max Verstappen won a farce of a Belgian Grand Prix - a procession behind a safety car for TWO laps.
The crowd on the rainy circuit at Spa-Francorchamps waited three and a half hours for the results, while the highest paid drivers in the world sat in their garages and waited for better weather. "
The Guardian:
"The Belgian Grand Prix will be recorded as a race and the honors for it were properly given, but there was little dignity in the way Formula 1 went on a wet afternoon at Spa-Francorchamps."
Italy
Gazzetta dello Sport:
“The Farce of Spa: This is how you end up humiliating Formula 1.
You could decide not to drive because of the extreme conditions; it would have been the more logical decision to protect the pilots. "
La Repubblica:
"The imaginary Grand Prix - the last farce of Formula 1 - is not driven in Spa, but points are awarded."
Corriere della Sera:
"The farce of the Ghost Grand Prix - in Spa money and the storm win."
France
L'Équipe:
“With card games for some, a nap for the others and a small meal for Yuki Tsunoda, everyone killed time as best they could while it was raining outside.
Ultimately, Michael Masi announced a restart for 6:17 p.m.
But it was a waste of time. "
Spain
El Mundo:
“That was a pathetic pantomime.
One of the greatest shame in the history of this sport.
You can't present the result of a race that didn't even take place.
It is an insult to the history of Formula 1, an insult to competition and sport in general. "
Marca:
“That was the farm catching race.
The Belgian GP showed what Formula 1 is all about.
For some it is sensible, others see it as a fraud.
Because this sport still lives today from the mysticism that was created by men who risked their lives for the sport without complaint and often gave it too. "
AS:
“Formula 1 is shipwrecked in Spa.
Nobody questions that driver safety is a top priority.
Due to the poor visibility, there was also little room for maneuver.
The "Express" result leaves a bad taste.
A very bad one. "
Mundo Deportivo:
“Verstappen won the“ non-race ”at Spa.
It was a pantomime that could easily have been avoided by canceling the race or postponing it to Monday. "
Austria
Kronen Zeitung:
“Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won a curious Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday and bagged half world championship points for it!
The race, which actually wasn't one, will still cause some discussions.
After a start delay of more than three hours due to persistent heavy rain, only two laps behind the safety car were reeled off on the evening before dark to bring a result into the classification. "
Switzerland
Blick:
“Time goes by.
The rain continues to pound on the asphalt.
The Belgian GP has long since become a scandal.
Those in charge are trying to get a race start behind the safety car.
It's all about the TV millions. "