Formula 1: Max Verstappen's Belgian Grand Prix 'Ruined' By Cautious Delay Decision

Max Verstappen questioned the decision to delay Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, suggesting it ruined the race before it had even started. The race was delayed for around 90 minutes when heavy rain hit the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps and the FIA decided to red flag proceedings after the formation lap.

Race director Rui Marques took the decision to abort the start and called for all cars to return to the pit lane. 

The first four laps of the grand prix were behind the virtual safety car, with championship leader Oscar Piastri snatching the lead from Lando Norris on the following lap. 

Piastri consolidated that position to win the race, his sixth of the season. Verstappen, meanwhile, started and finished in fourth after failing to pass Charles Leclerc. 

The Dutchman was left to wonder what might have been had they been allowed to race in the more treacherous conditions, as he made it clear he would have preferred a bolder approach from race control.

"We made a choice with the setup, and they only allowed us to drive in almost slick conditions, so yeah, it was a bit disappointing," Verstappen said.

"We should have started miles earlier, an hour earlier. A bit of a shame. They took a very cautious approach, which we spoke about after Silverstone, to be a little bit more cautious.

"But, for me, this was then the other extreme. It just ruined a nice, classic wet race as well. We either still try to push for a proper wet race, or we say, 'You know what, let's just stop racing in the wet and wait for it to be dry. But that's not what you want, right?

"It was a choice that we made with the setup of the car. It was then, of course, the wrong one, because they didn't allow us to race in the wet.

"Once we got to the dry tyres, we were just too slow on the straight. And then with the general balance problems that I already have with this car, it made everything a bit worse."

Verstappen won the sprint race on Saturday, able to hold off the McLarens by driving flat out over 15 laps.

But tyre degradation proved to be tricky again over a full race distance and that is what the reigning Formula One world champion wants Red Bull to address going forward.

"The problems we have in the car in tyre management are still there. It doesn't matter what rear wing you put on the car, and it also hurt us today in the race," he added.

"We did the best we could, we made changes and it was much nicer around the lap. We know what we have to work on but, unfortunately, it was not that straightforward to fix."