Max Verstappen was proclaimed the winner of a farcical Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday after only two laps were completed behind a safety car.
The 12th round of the Formula One campaign at a rain-soaked Spa-Francorchamps circuit finished three hours and 44 minutes after it was due to begin when the clock finally stopped on an embarrassing afternoon for the sport.
George Russell took second, with Lewis Hamilton third and half-points awarded.
Hamilton’s championship advantage over Verstappen has been reduced to three points.
Seventy-five thousand fans stood in the persistent drizzle for a race due to start at 3pm, pushed back to 3.10pm, 3.15pm and 3.25pm. The safety car took the field away on a formation lap but after eight minutes the race was stopped.
Following two hours and 47 minutes without any action, the FIA’s race director Michael Masi then gave the green light for the race to resume.
The sodden spectators, those who remained in the hope of a race, pumped their fists in delight, with Verstappen’s fans lighting orange flares on the Kemmel Straight.
But after just two laps completed of the rain-drenched 4.35-mile circuit, the race was red-flagged. The sport’s bosses were facing accusations of a cynical manoeuvre with two laps ensuring a classification could be granted.
