Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was declared winner of the Belgian Grand Prix Sunday after the race was abandoned due to heavy showers. Verstappen led the race at the end of the two laps that were completed. He will get half points, as will the rest of the top 10.

“In hindsight it was very important to get that pole position,” Verstappen said after being declared the winner. 

Also read: Lionel Messi set to make PSG debut; Neymar, Mbappe named in squad

He produced a brilliant last lap in the rain on Saturday to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix.

George Russell, who started second on the grid, finished on the podium for the first time. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton came third. 

“Of course it’s a win but not how you want to win,” Verstappen said. “Credit to all the fans who stayed here for so long. They are the real winners today.”

Verstappen’s sixth win of the season was the 16th of his career and stopped Lewis Hamilton earning a record-extending 100th win, while also trimming his overall lead from eight points to three.

Verstappen collected 12.5 points instead of 25, with Russell getting nine for his second career podium and Hamilton picking up 7.5.

Also read: Robert Lewandowski and records, a never-ending romance

Fans cheered loudly from the stands and the hills around the track when it was announced the race would start again at 6:17 p.m. local time (1617 GMT) — 3 hours, 17 minutes after it normally would have.

But after just 10 minutes of Verstappen rolling cautiously behind the safety car it was suspended for a second time at just before 6:30 p.m.

“I really hope the fans get their money back  today,” Hamilton said. “They were incredible.”

The first time was shortly after 3:30 p.m. local time following a formation lap.

The 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) Spa-Francorchamps circuit was totally drenched. Soaked fans huddled under large umbrellas on muddy banks as they waited for the worst of the rain to pass. The thick clouds and mist hanging over the Ardennes forest also gave the circuit a daunting look and made for poor visibility.

Also read: ‘Ok, thanks’: Virat Kohli’s calm response to batting advice from journalist

When the drivers embarked on their formation laps the first time around, several complained.

“I really can’t see anything,” said Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

The decision to suspend the start was made a few moments later.

“It’s wet, but I think it’s fine to race,” said Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who started from pole position.

His teammate Sergio Perez appeared to be out of the race before it even started, sliding off the track during the warmup lap at around 2:30 p.m. and damaging his front suspension.

Red Bull asked race control if Perez could start the race if they repaired his car in time. The FIA said it was considering the request and later announced Perez would be allowed to start from the pit lane.

At 5 p.m. a further delay was announced.

McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo entertained the fans waiting in the grandstand from the pit lane. In his 200th F1 race, the popular Australian made extravagant hand gestures and waved to them as they chanted “Daniel, Daniel.”

“I obviously feel for them,” Ricciardo said. “We’re in it together but circumstances are out of our control.”

With inputs from the Associated Press