Seven-time world
champion Lewis Hamilton has slammed the rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix as “a farce”,
accusing Formula 1 of cynicism in the way it pushed for the completion of Sunday’s
race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Stavelot.

The Brit
criticised the decision to complete two laps behind the Safety Car before the
race was called off, saying it was taken for “one reason and one reason only”. “I
mean, money talks. It was literally the two laps to start the race, it’s all a
money scenario,” he told Sky Sports.

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“So
everyone gets their money and I think the fans should get theirs back too
because unfortunately, they didn’t get to see what they came and paid for. I
think the sport made a bad choice today” he said.

“Today was
a farce and the only people to lose out are the fans who have paid good money
to watch us race,” the 36-year-old said a post on Instagram. “Two laps behind a
safety car where there is no possibility to gain or lose a place or provide entertainment
to fans isn’t racing. We should have just called it quits, not risked the
drivers and most importantly refunded the fans who are the heart of our sport.”

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The FIA
attempted to start the race twice either side of a nearly three-hour rain delay.
The race was initially delayed by 30 minutes from its start time at 14:00 BST,
with drivers completing two full laps behind the Safety Car at 14:30 BST before
the red flag was raised again.

According
to official stipulations, a minimum of two laps are needed to be completed in a
race in order to award half points to the top-10 racers. The race was then resumed
at 17:17 BST when drivers completed two more laps before being called back to
the pits.

Without any
actual racing taking place, the final standings were declared in the order of
their qualification positions. Red Bull’s Max VertsappenWinning moments for Indian athletes on Tokyo Paralympics Day 6 | Watch was declared the
winner and cut Hamilton’s lead to three points while Williams’ George Russel
clinched his maiden podium courtesy of his superb performance in the qualification
on Saturday.