Belgian racing driver Max Verstappen has criticised the decision to delay the start of the Belgian Grand Prix by over an hour due to rain, claiming race organisers were being overly cautious.
The reigning four-time world champion expressed his frustration after the race, arguing that conditions did not warrant such a lengthy suspension.
The race, initially scheduled to start at 3:00 pm local time 1:00 pm GMT, was postponed by 80 minutes due to standing water on parts of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
However, Verstappen suggested the situation could have been managed more effectively by simply allowing a few formation laps to help disperse the water.
It wasn't even raining at that point, Verstappen said. Between Turns One and Five, there was some water, but if you do two or three laps behind the Safety Car, that clears up. The rest of the track was fine.