Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) (AFP)

The Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, initially scheduled for 3:00 p.m., had still not started three hours later and its cancellation is a possibility due to the incessant rain on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

On the starting grid at 3:00 p.m., the drivers were informed of a first decision to postpone the Grand Prix.

At 3:25 p.m., they then set off for two training laps.

But the conditions were still too rainy to be able to give the real start.

All the drivers entered the pit lane and got out of their cars to wait in the warmth.

They were still in their garages at 6:00 p.m.

As a result, the television images showed what they could: the thousands of brave spectators present in the stands, under the curtain of rain that has fallen on the Belgian Ardennes since the start of the day and more generally since the start of the weekend. end.

- Fries and pétanque -

The fans, comforting each other with hot dogs and Belgian fries, and the pilots, trying to stay focused with various exercises, were somehow patient.

Like some stewards, who took the opportunity to play pétanque on the gravel around the track.

If a start were to be given, the cars would start off, behind the safety car, rather than stopped as usual.

British world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) awaiting the start of the Belgian F1 GP, August 29, 2021 at Spa-Francorchamps JOHN THYS POOL / AFP

Normally, the race must take place within a window of three hours from the initially scheduled departure (3:00 p.m.), i.e. until 6:00 p.m.

But the race management announced at 5:00 pm that this race procedure was suspended, due to the "force majeure" case presented by the weather forecast, in order to preserve a potential hour of racing.

If the race takes place, it will be shortened.

However, according to the regulations, a minimum of two laps must be completed for points to be awarded.

And if the leader completes more than two laps but less than 75% of the initially planned distance (44 laps of seven kilometers), only half of the points are distributed.

- "Quite horrible" -

On their training lap, the pilots all seemed to agree that the visibility was extremely poor.

"It's quite horrible, I hardly manage to see the car in front of me and there is + aquaplaning +", for example explained Lando Norris (McLaren).

Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) during the warm-up lap of the Belgian F1 GP, August 29, 2021 at Spa-Francorchamps Kenzo Tribouillard AFP

Only the Dutchman Max Verstappen, in pole position, was in favor of riding.

The Red Bull driver is eight points behind Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) before this 12th race out of 22 this season.

He qualified ahead of Britons George Russell (Williams) and Hamilton.

"It's not that bad on the road, but in the peloton you wouldn't be able to see anything," confirmed Alan van der Merwe, driver of the medical car, the last to have driven on the track around 5:00 pm.

Rainy weather already caused Norris to crash on Saturday during qualifying.

On Sunday, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) went off the track as he completed the lap to position himself on the starting grid.

He should have given up, but the delay allowed his team to repair the damage to his car.

If the start is given, the Mexican should be there.

© 2021 AFP