Lewis Hamilton with mask — Photo: © LAT Images

Belgian Grand Prix

Hamilton Melbourne cancellation memories evoked by Belgian washout

Fans were left to sit soaked whilst cars completed two laps

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 31 August 2021 05:00

Lewis Hamilton has likened the fan experience at the Belgian Grand Prix to that of last year's cancelled F1 race in Australia.

Fans waited at a rain-drenched Spa-Francorchamps all day to see only two laps behind the safety car - and one classified completed lap in the 'race'.

For what was supposed to be the opening race of last year's championship, fans flocked to Albert Park for Friday practice, only to be told at the gates of the event's cancellation due to the dawn of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Asked if he could remember such a situation as seen in Belgium, Hamilton replied: "Weather-wise I don’t think… I don’t remember experiencing… I mean, I’ve raced for years, so I don’t remember on the weather side.

"In the background, us being in Melbourne last year when we shouldn’t have been, there are some similarities to how today’s gone down but at least everyone’s safe.

"Ultimately, the visibility behind… once we did the start on the grid, as soon as Max pulled away, he just disappeared.

"I couldn’t even see his red light ahead of me, so it must have been even worse for the guys at the back. The worst thing is to see drivers in carnage and getting hurt."

Hamilton "spoke" to Domenicali

Between the first time cars rolled off the grid and the eventual two racing laps, there was a three-hour delay as the FIA determined the next step for racing to hopefully go ahead.

On what he did to pass the time, Hamilton said: "I was back in my room, listening to the new Kanye album.

"I was watching the weather, looking out of the window most of the time just praying the thing would clear up so we could get going. Obviously, that time never came.

"I did speak to Stefano, who came along, just telling him how bad it is out there."