The Belgian Grand Prix was red-flagged during the formation lap after heavy rain fell before the start of the race.

Rain was still falling as the drivers left the grid behind the Safety Car due to the conditions. Soon after the formation lap began, race control announced the starting procedure had been suspended and red-flagged the race.

An FIA spokesperson told RaceFans the race was red-flagged because most drivers reported poor visibility during the formation lap.

“I can’t see a lot behind the Safety Car, so I can’t imagine what it’s like for everyone else,” pole-winner Lando Norris told his team on the radio. Asked whether the main problem was aquaplaning or visibility, Norris replied: “Visibility. The standing water is not too bad.”

His team mate Oscar Piastri behind him echoed his view. “It’s still very difficult to see,” he told his race engineer Tom Stallard. “I can’t see anything so I don’t know how anyone else can.” Esteban Ocon also told his team: “I can’t see anything.”

Carlos Sainz Jnr, who is due to start the race from the pits and caught the queue of cars during the formation lap, also said there was: “Probably a bit too much rain now, still,” to start the race.

However his team mate Alexander Albon, fifth on the grid, said the drivers should be left out on the track. “I think we should just drive around a bit,” he told his team after being informed the start had been suspended. Max Verstappen, running immediately behind him, complained about the decision to abandon the attempt to start the race, calling it: “Too cautious.”

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A wide band of rain hung over the track as the drivers left the grid on the formation lap. Some drivers were told the rain was expected to intensify in a few minutes’ time.

The FIA subsequently announced the race would be started at 4:20pm local time, 80 minutes after it was originally scheduled to begin.

Drivers’ comments on the conditions on their radios

Position Driver Comments on conditions during formation lap
1 Lando Norris I can’t see a lot behind the Safety Car, so I can’t imagine what it’s like for everyone else.
2 Oscar Piastri It’s still very difficult to see. I can’t see anything so I don’t know how anyone else can.
3 Charles Leclerc This is a mess. Track is in really bad shape.
4 Max Verstappen Quite bad spray from turn one to turn five.
After being told the start had been suspended.
Ah that’s a bit silly. If you jut run a few laps, Jesus. They’re way too cautious and now the rain is coming, the heavy rain.
5 Alexander Albon After being told the start had been suspended
I think we should just drive around a bit
6 George Russell I don’t see Albon. I don’t see him. Visibility very bad. Zero visibility down the straight.
7 Yuki Tsunoda Can’t see anything. Aquaplaning.
8 Isack Hadjar I feel like the track is not too wet, it’s actually in good condition. But on the back straight I can’t see much from two seconds already.
9 Liam Lawson Oh my god, mate, literally can’t see anything.
10 Gabriel Bortoleto I cannot see anything ahead of me. So much spray.
11 Esteban Ocon I can’t see anything.
12 Oliver Bearman Visibility is quite poor right now.
13 Pierre Gasly I can’t see. On Kemmel straight I can’t see a thing.
14 Nico Hulkenberg None
15 Franco Colapinto I can’t see anything.
16 Lance Stroll This is like totally blind.
17 Carlos Sainz Jnr Probably a bit too much rain now, still.
18 Lewis Hamilton None
19 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Yeah visibility is really bad.
20 Fernando Alonso None

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