F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Todt 'very sorry' for Spa fans - review of regs in order

FIA president Jean Todt said he is "very sorry" for those who attended Sunday's washed-out Belgian Grand Prix, insisting that a "careful review" of the regulations will be undertaken in October by the governing body in collaboration with F1 and the sport's teams.

Poor weather hovering over Spa-Francorchamps led to spectators soaked to the bone waiting for hours for an elusive start to the 12th round of the 2021 F1 world championship.

Late in the day, the field ventured out behind the safety car for three laps that sealed the race's official status, with half-points awarded to the top ten drivers based on their grid positions.

On Sunday evening, there was little debate about race control's decision to abort proceedings.

But the subsequent podium and points allocation was seen by the fans, and indeed by many team bosses, as merely adding insult to injury after the botched event.

"This year’s Belgian Grand Prix presented extraordinary challenges," said Todt, who is currently serving his final year at the helm of the FIA.

"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.

"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."

On Monday, Spa Grand Prix's Vanessa Maes, the promoter of the Belgian Grand Prix, said that she would discuss with Formula One Management a compensation package for the benefit of those who attended Sunday's event.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Schumacher’s first F1 winner hits the auction block

Michael Schumacher’s 1992 Benetton B192, the very car that delivered his maiden Formula 1 victory,…

8 hours ago

Why Bortoleto thinks Verstappen could be the perfect teammate

Gabriel Bortoleto is not buying into the widespread idea that lining up alongside Max Verstappen…

10 hours ago

Eddie Cheever: Still the American driver with the most F1 starts

Today, we wish a happy 68th birthday to Eddie Cheever who remains after all these…

12 hours ago

In pictures: Audi's first day on track in Barcelona

History was made at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Friday as the Audi Revolut F1…

13 hours ago

Mercedes pays tribute to motorsport legend Hans Herrmann

The flags at Mercedes-Benz have been lowered to half-mast as the racing community mourns the…

14 hours ago

McLaren locks in ‘Super Monday’ launch date for 2026 contender

McLaren have officially completed Formula 1’s 2026 launch calendar, confirming they will unveil their new…

15 hours ago