In the round-up: Carlos Sainz Jnr says that conditions were so poor at Spa during the Belgian Grand Prix drivers would have been unable to avoid each other.
In brief
Sainz: Only single-car running possible at soaked Spa
After the bizarre events of the Belgian Grand Prix, Sainz said that only a ‘super pole’ session, with cars going out on track individually, would have been possible during the race period.“One by one, we could have done a ‘super pole’ today, no problem,” Sainz said. “We could’ve gone through Eau Rouge, this was not the issue. The issue was visibility and the two laps that we did behind the Safety Car, the tyres cool down to zero and you’re going to go into Eau Rouge and into that straight with zero visibility.
“If someone spins in front of you with cold tyres, I’m telling you that if P10 crashes, back to P20 everyone hits him and this is where a big accident at 300kph could happen.”
F1 and Spa Francorchamps “disappointed” for fans
Formula One Management and the Spa-Francorchamps circuit have issued statements sympathising with fans who saw no racing action yesterday. Spa praised the tenacity of fans in staying throughout the continuously wet day and an F1 race which saw just four laps of running behind the Safety Car.
“Spa Grand Prix SA expresses its deepest disappointment to the outcome of this weekend, which was supposed to be the one of reunion, the conclusion of a year of hard work during which we overcame all obstacles,” said the circuit in its statement. “It started well, the show was there, but the weather conditions were not in our control and the decision made by the race direction must be respected, as the safety of the drivers must remain the priority.
“We share the disappointment of our customers, who have been exemplary in the way they have suffered this incredible day, but also in the way the evacuation has been carried out, This underlines, once again, the quality and the perfect behaviour of our public of enthusiasts.”
Formula 1 also sympathised with fans who had not got to watch any racing action but stood by the decisions of the stewards. “Following the significant weather disruption to the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA and Formula 1 are disappointed for all the fans at the track and at home that today’s race could not go to full distance, but the safety of the drivers, marshals and spectators must always be the priority.
“The decision of the stewards to extend the window in which the race could take place gave every possible opportunity to maximise the day’s running, but the weather conditions unfortunately did not improve sufficiently to complete more laps.”
Neither party has indicated plans for compensation, though RaceFans understand these are under consideration.
Ricciardo would quit racing if he was motivated by money
Having marked his 200th grand prix in yesterday’s bizarre race, Daniel Ricciardo he isn’t entertaining thoughts of quitting. The McLaren driver said that if he found he was continuing driving for money, rather than a love of the sport, he would quit.
Asked whether he would still be driving in Formula One if he didn’t get paid to do so, Ricciardo said: “Maybe it’s the age in me but I do ask myself that question and the answer is ‘yes’. And I think the day the answer is ‘no’ is then the day I have to stop racing.
“I am pretty good at kind of checking myself on that and as a kid, I never did it to be on TV, to get paid money, it was because I loved it.
“The day that becomes outweighed or overpowered by the money or the fame or whatever it is, then that’s simply the day I have enough, inner awareness, self awareness to say, ‘alright, I’m done with this.'”
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
The best race drivers in the world have completed a two lap race behind a safety car. Race officially completed.
Spectators won't have to be refunded. Well done.— Paul-Henri Cahier (@F1Photo) August 29, 2021
Brave decision by Michael Masi @fia If the race had gone ahead and there had been a serious accident, we'd be asking why he started the race. Tough. But ultimately a mature thing to do. Spa has claimed a lot of drivers #f1
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) August 29, 2021
#F1 not covering itself in glory today. Basic questions like whether the race has started and how many laps remain shouldn't be the sort of thing that need lengthy debates. But when the sporting regulations alone are almost 100 pages…#BelgianGP
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) August 29, 2021
Completely agree with this, and with Lewis Hamilton’s comments about it being a money-driven decision. Couldn’t believe it when I saw that farcical podium ceremony. #F1 destroying its own integrity in a way even Bernie didn’t manage.
— Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) August 29, 2021
Extreme E wants international motorsport media to report on their delayed TV broadcasts, not the live, on-track events.
This is very problematic in itself but it’s always nice to see even the teams break the series’ own embargoes. 🤦♂️🇬🇱 #ArcticXPrix #ExtremeE pic.twitter.com/anfn4YGMoG
— Tobi Bluhm (@TobiTweetings) August 29, 2021
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
May I have a word about… the language of Formula One (The Guardian)
"'The Crypto.com Overtake Award gives us the chance to celebrate drivers’ instincts to make bold and strategic moves which reflects the qualities needed when dealing in cryptocurrency.' As an exercise in using corporate bilge to try to marry two quite incompatible things, I think you’d have to go a very long way to top that."
Rowe takes first USF2000 win in Race 2 at NJMP (Racer)
"The New Yorker, driving for the new African-American owned Force Indy team, took the lead with just a few corners remaining in the 20-lap race after starting 10th on the grid, and became the first African-American to win a round of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship."
Hauger plays down title deficit, insisting Prema have 'got the pace to beat' Doohan (Formula 3)
"'Trident had a really good car this weekend and he (Jack Doohan) managed to maximise everything,' said Hauger. 'He has had some bad races before, though, and I have just had a bad weekend.'"
Nojiri wins third race of the season in impressive style (Super Formula)
"Nojiri’s car was just too fast for any of the other drivers to handle on this day, helping him to cash in on his 3rd victory of the season with two rounds to go. Nojiri now has 76 points to second place finisher for this race Sekiguchi’s 39.5 points."
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.
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Comment of the day
F1 Frog defends the decision to award points to drivers for a race which was run entirely behind the Safety Car.
If you just take the title protagonists as an example, Verstappen has gained five points on Hamilton.
Some may say that is unfair as he didn’t have do beat him in the race to gain those points, but the fact that he took pole and Hamilton was only third means that if there had been a race, it is most likely that Verstappen would have gained some points on Hamilton, so the half-points are fair.
Nothing wrong with what Masi did today, I think it’s just the anger of watching replays of people pulling trollies in slow motion and rain falling for four hours that is getting to people. Nowhere to point the blame today, except at the weather gods.
@F1frog
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On this day in motorsport
- 40 years ago today Alain Prost saw off an attack from Alan Jones to win the Dutch Grand Prix, the pair split by Nelson Piquet at the flag
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Joe McGuire (@treize131)
30th August 2021, 0:49
And we’ve seen this exact thing happen at Spa. If there’s enough water on any track skill gets neutralized and you’re just asking for accidents; you can’t “out-drive” aquaplaning.
Definitely agree, though, that fans should be getting their race day tickets refunded.
MacLeod (@macleod)
30th August 2021, 8:05
Aquaplaning was not the problem more the spray the cars throw up! Brasil 2016 the rain was way more harder. This was drizzel and the trees kept that spray on the circuit. If the wind was harder it was possible the race as the spray was swept away.
As you could see in front of Max his car there was no problem at all even the spray of the Safetycar (which is much less then a F1) was not a problem. But if you see from Lewis there was only spray in front of him.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
30th August 2021, 1:04
For anyone sad because they saw no racing yesterday, go check out the Ginetta Juniors race from Thruxton. Excellent battles throughout the field in the series where Lando first cut his teeth.
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
30th August 2021, 14:45
Can also add the Extreme E racing that was brillant.
OOliver
30th August 2021, 2:58
Re COTD
The championship has 18 other drivers who are also affected positively or negatively by the decision to award half points.
Corey (@dragon86)
30th August 2021, 3:24
Pierre Gasley and Danial Ricciardo both came into the race at 50 points. Ricciardo now leads 56-54.
anon
30th August 2021, 9:29
OOliver, not just the drivers – the race has also impacted the constructors championship, since it now means McLaren move ahead of Ferrari (Ferrari had been ahead on countback before this event).
F1 frog (@f1frog)
30th August 2021, 10:01
I know that, and I was using the title protagonists as an example. Here is an alternative version of the comment:
If you just take the protagonists in the battle for eighth as an example, Ricciardo has gained two points on Gasly.
Some may say that is unfair as he didn’t have do beat him in the race to gain those points, but the fact that he took fourth on the grid and Gasly was only sixth means that if there had been a race, it is most likely that Ricciardo would have gained some points on Gasly, so the half-points are fair.
Corey (@dragon86)
30th August 2021, 3:22
The results of Saturday’s qualification should not have a direct impact on the results for Sunday’s race. It should be a help or a hinderance in the quest for points.
George Russell was already rewarded with a second place grid spot for his monster lap on Saturday. Should he really be rewarded with a podium on Sunday? No, he didn’t earn it as he didn’t race for it. Verstappen didn’t earn the victory, but atleast he admitted that it was hollow.
I’m also sure that Valterri Bottas wouldn’t have caused a crash at Hungary, if he knew what the conditions would be like in Belgium, 4 weeks later. A 5 place grid penalty shouldn’t automatically mean no points.
Now, I don’t disagree with the decision not to race. We’ve seen many times in the past where heavy rain can cause dangerous driving conditions, but the idea of just completing enough laps to make an official race is foolish. It was just the easiest solution to fulfill contract obligations and one I do not agree with.
jff
30th August 2021, 7:16
Seriously?
Corey (@dragon86)
30th August 2021, 13:45
Admit, that one is a bit of a stretch
Patrick (@paeschli)
30th August 2021, 8:20
No it shouldn’t, especially in a Mercedes that should be on the front row every race.
F1 frog (@f1frog)
30th August 2021, 9:56
My point is that if the race had been declared null and void, Russell would not have been rewarded for the monster lap on Saturday. The situation used means that he is partly rewarded, and had he started on the front row, he may have scored more than nine points, or maybe less, but it seems like a reasonable number to give him, as it is more than all the drivers he outqualified (so should be expected to outrace in similar conditions), but less than the driver who outqualified him.
Corey (@dragon86)
30th August 2021, 13:57
Qualifying determines where you start, not where you finish. George Russell doesn’t deserve even a partial reward for Saturday. Out qualifying the other drivers only gives a better chance at scoring points, they shouldn’t be outright given to him. If the race ends up being cancelled due to the weather, then tough luck, that’s racing. We’ve seen plenty of other situations where people give a monster effort on Saturday to have no reward on Sunday.
lucifer (@lucifer)
30th August 2021, 16:06
i don’t understand why some people have a hard time understanding this. points are given on Sunday for the race not on Saturday for qualifying. yes Russell did excellent on Saturday but he shouldn’t have gotten 1/2 race points for it when there wasn’t a race on Sunday.
Mike Davies (@nanotech)
30th August 2021, 5:28
RE: Carlos’ “super-pole” idea – well, they did that yesterday. Apparently F1 is now a Time Attack series when it suits them.
sumedh
30th August 2021, 5:37
COTD:
Indeed. And I think that is why FIA/F1 decided to do that 2 lap farce after waiting out for 3 hours hoping rain would clear. It was a commercial decision to run those 2 laps so that they could award points and the the 2 championship contenders come closer in the championship.
Would FIA / F1 have done the same had Lewis got the pole? I don’t think so. Because, 1) The championship contenders would have grown further apart, 2) Lewis’ 100th win to be like this would be a commercial fiasco for F1 :)
Red Andy (@red-andy)
30th August 2021, 7:22
Some might say it would be quite fitting for Hamilton’s 100th win to be handed to him with no meaningful competition
jff
30th August 2021, 7:28
I disagree with giving points when there was no racing (but then again, there are websites organising polls when there was no racing).
But I do not agree claiming that it was a commercial decision. Certainly drivers and participants should not claim this.
FIA is not a commercial organisation; Masi doesn’t work for Liberty.
There was a clear expectation that the weather would improve.
Getting the cars out behind a safety car is a standard procedure when the track is too wet for racing but when driving around it could create a dry line.
PS if I were Masi I would have started behind the safety car (a bit earlier when it was dryer) and then call the SC in but leave the full track under single waved yellow (no overtaking). This way they could have gone faster, the track could have dried, and there would be some driver skills involved to keep the cars on track (just see what Perez did).
sumedh
30th August 2021, 7:35
Masi shouldn’t work for Liberty. But his actions seem like he does. Not yesterday’s, but the general increase in red flags, safety cars which increase unpredictability of every race.
That’s interesting. Yeah, if the drivers circulated at single waved yellow / VSC , they would themselves displace the standing water and make the track better for racing after 5-10 laps!!
jff
30th August 2021, 8:17
I don’t think it’s fair to claim Masi works for Liberty. I disagree with many decisions, but claiming he is not independent is a whole different level.
And I doubt that Liberty would lose out if the race had not taken place due to the weather.
The organisation was in hands of the circuit (Spa), and I doubt there is a weather refund clause in the contract.
Liberty doesn’t need 22 races either to collect the TV monies.
anon
30th August 2021, 9:35
jff, the poster gt-racer, who is connected with FOM, has mentioned in the past that Liberty Media have been putting pressure on Masi to take certain actions – for example, using the safety car to close up the field when, in previous years, an event might have been covered under a virtual safety car or yellow flags.
Whilst Masi might not be directly employed by Liberty Media, they are certainly applying pressure onto Masi to act in a particular way that does raise the question of whether he is acting in an entirely independent manner.
jff
30th August 2021, 9:39
anon,
We don’t need another poster to claim that others put pressure on Masi. We could all hear the various teams put pressure on him live on air.
It is up to Masi though to find the quickest route between his two ears for those messages.
If he cannot do that then he should not be in that chair.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
30th August 2021, 7:26
I wonder whether a Le Mans-style “slow zone” through Eau Rouge/Radillon and down to Les Combes might have made racing possible yesterday. We saw during the SC parade at the end that there was much less standing water on other parts of the circuit, and that sequence is the one that had everyone worried.
Obviously there is no provision in the F1 regulations for such a thing, but it might be something to consider for the future if truly wet running is no longer to be tolerated.
jff
30th August 2021, 7:31
I agree and could have added this to my comment (PS part) above.
Plossl (@)
30th August 2021, 8:47
If they did a slow zone it would highlight that constant uses of the safety car when it isn’t needed are all about the show, not about racing. It gives TV companies a chance to squeeze in adverts and time for the new audience F1 is trying to attract to check there social media feeds as they have the attention span of a goldfish.
Patrick (@anunaki)
30th August 2021, 9:19
I think they could have raced yesterday. There was no aquaplaning what used to be the argument, but the visibility was bad. Well, this has always been the case when it rainraces.
Jere (@jerejj)
30th August 2021, 9:57
In hindsight, Sainz’s Super Pole idea wouldn’t have been a bad idea. He’s also right about accident probability, as is Hill.
Good thinking by Ric.
At least Super Formula had a proper race, unlike F1.
COTD has some validity.
Dave
30th August 2021, 10:33
Re Damon Hill tweet: I have to agree with him. Only for the decision and never the points hand-out.
Re Extreme E tweet: Something wrong, eh?
Broccoliface
30th August 2021, 11:16
The moneybadger would race without a salary? Hmmmm
Aussie Rod (@aussierod)
30th August 2021, 13:49
@f1frog
Agree with COTD completely.
The weather ruined the day, end of story. It’s no one’s fault, it’s simply unfortunate.