Belgian Grand Prix LIVE result: Max Verstappen wins two-lap race after heavy rain causes major delays

Follow fallout after the weather drastically affected the race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

(Getty Images)

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.

Belgian Grand Prix

• Race delayed amid heavy rain
• Only two laps completed
• Verstappen, Russell and Hamilton in 1st, 2nd and 3rd with half points

[29 August 2021 14:26 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

The safety car has set out, leading the drivers around on the formation lap before the race begins.

[29 August 2021 14:18 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

McLaren boss, Zak Brown, tells Sky Sports F1 that he predicts “total chaos” when we get racing today. Which incidentally has been further delayed until 2:25pm (BST).

[29 August 2021 14:09 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

The formation lap has been delayed again until at least 2:20pm (BST). It’s possible there will be further delays as we wait for the intensity of the rain to decrease.

[29 August 2021 14:01 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

The race start has been delayed by 10 minutes while we wait for the worst of the rain to ease over Spa-Francorchamps. The race is now set to begin at 2:10pm.

[29 August 2021 13:52 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

The race start will take place behind the safety car.

[29 August 2021 13:50 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

The top 10 on the starting grid:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

2. George Russell (Williams)

3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

4. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)

5. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)

6. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)

7. (Will not start) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

8. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

9. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

10. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)

[29 August 2021 13:26 · Alex Pattle]

Belgian Grand Prix

Here is yesterday’s report from qualifying, which saw George Russell narrowly beaten to pole position by Max Verstappen.

Still, it was an incredible showing from the 23-year-old Russell.

[29 August 2021 13:25 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

Sergio Perez has crashed his Red Bull on his lap to line up on the grid before the race. He won’t be starting this Belgian Grand Prix.

[29 August 2021 13:16 · Sean Russell]

Belgian Grand Prix

The conditions on track are treacherous as the drivers line up on the grid 20 minutes before the start of the race. It hasn’t stopped raining at Spa-Francorchamps so far today and it looks like all drivers will begin the race on the full wet tyres. It could even be a safety car start as drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, complain of a lack of grip on track.

[29 August 2021 12:22 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Belgian Grand Prix

Welcome to live coverage of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix as we look ahead to what promises to be a fascinating race. Red Bull took pole position on Saturday as Max Verstappen fuelled his world title ambitions with a supreme lap in the wet in Spa.

The treacherous conditions - which are set to continue this afternoon - led to a red flag in Q3 after Lando Norris suffered a high-speed crash which saw his car left in pieces. It was a disastrous moment for the Brit, especially given he had posted the fastest times in Q1 and Q2, but he had to settle for tenth on the grid.

Qualification restarted with nine minutes remaining and defending champion Lewis Hamilton set the bar heading into the final flying laps. But out of nowhere the Williams of George Russell pulled out a quite incredible time to go into provisional pole. The 23-year-old Brit, who is hoping to secure a place on the Mercedes team next year, was eventually toppled by Verstappen but still managed to clinch a sensational place on the front row in one of the shocks of the season so far.

Can the Williams compete today? Hamilton qualified behind him in third, with Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon and Norris propping up the top 10. Hamilton currently leads the championship by eight points from Verstappen, but the Dutchman will feel confident he can leapfrog him this weekend as he eyes his sixth win of the year.