Rain delays start to Belgian Grand Prix

Pole-sitting McLaren driver Lando Norris was informed by his race engineer Will Joseph to expect a lengthy delay and race stewards later announced a new start time of 16h20 local time (1420GMT), 80 minutes after the scheduled start.

The cars, led by Norris, had completed one formation lap behind a safety car before the action was red-flagged and they filed back into the pitlane to wait for an improvement in conditions.

Norris said: "I can't see much from behind the safety car so I can't imagine what it's like for everyone else."

Asked by his team if there was standing water on the circuit, Norris replied saying "No, it's visibility, the standing water is not too bad".

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull expressed disappointment at being called in and not being allowed to continue running to help clear the water from the circuit.

"That's a bit silly, we should just run a few laps," he said. "They're way too cautious and now the heavier rain is coming?"

Race organisers announced a record weekend attendance of 389,000 spectators at the majestic old circuit in the Ardennes where many fans camped under trees for several days in expectation of a thrilling race on one of the calendar’s fastest tracks.

In the paddock, Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was seen wearing a personal tribute cap designed to respect the memory of his friend Anthoine Hubert who was killed in a crash at Spa during a Formula Two race in 2019.

"I hope we go out soon, for the fans," he said.

"We have had a few situations here in the last couple of years that were not so good for them so I hope we can wait and then have clear visibility."

In 2021, Verstappen was declared the winner of the Belgian event after a race that lasted for only two laps behind a safety car. Rain prevented any actual racing.

The start was delayed by half an hour before two attempts were made to start the race with an eventual gap of three hours between them.

Norris is on pole with his McLaren teammate and series leader Oscar Piastri sharing the front row.

Behind the McLaren duo on the second row of the wet grid are Ferrari's Charles Leclerc alongside Verstappen, who won Saturday's sprint staged in dry conditions.

That was Red Bull's first win since Laurent Mekies took over as team principal from Christian Horner, sacked a fortnight ago after 20 years at the helm.