Todt "very sorry" for Belgian GP fans and confirms review of race-day saga

Ian Parkes
Tuesday 31 August 2021 16:05

FIA president Jean Todt has promised a review of what unfolded during Sunday's rain-lashed Belgian Grand Prix that has drawn widespread criticism.

Todt has declared himself "very sorry" for the fans who waited for hours in the rain and cold at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, only to witness two laps behind the safety car before the event was eventually called off and half points awarded.

It meant for the first time in F1's 71-year history there was a classification and points issued without any laps under green-flag conditions, which has drawn disapproval from many drivers, including champions Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.

“This year’s Belgian Grand Prix presented extraordinary challenges to the FIA Formula 1 world championship,” said Todt.

“The weather windows predicted by the forecasters did not appear throughout the day, and while a small window did appear late in the day during which there was an attempt to start the race, conditions quickly worsened again.

“Therefore, due to the lack of visibility created by the spray behind the cars, we could not run the full race in sufficiently safe conditions for the drivers, marshals as well as the brave spectators who waited for many hours in the rain, for whom I am very sorry.

"This has been recognised by all the stakeholders.

“The FIA, together with Formula 1 and the teams, will carefully review the regulations to see what can be learned and improved for the future.

“The findings, including the topic of points allocation, will be added to the agenda of the next F1 Commission meeting on October 5.”

Todt will stand down from his role as president in December after 12 years in office.