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

Team Talk – Sunday afternoon in Shanghai

  Pirelli Dario Marrafuschi – Pirelli Motorsport Director 'Firstly, I would like to congratulate Kimi…

9 hours ago

Russell braced for Ferrari drivers’ collision in Chinese GP

Those who weren't watching Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix with their heart in their, weren't watching…

13 hours ago

Wolff overwhelmed by China podium: ‘One of the best I’ve ever had'

For Kimi Antonelli, victory at the Chinese Grand Prix was the moment a dream became…

14 hours ago

Verstappen tears into F1 after Shanghai DNF: ‘For me, it’s a joke’

The frustration boiling inside Max Verstappen finally spilled over in Shanghai, where another bruising weekend…

15 hours ago

Chinese GP: Sunday's action in pictures

The 2026 Chinese GP will go down in history for Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli who…

16 hours ago

Hamilton mentally and physically ‘back to my best’ after China podium

Under the afternoon sun and the roar of the grandstands at the Shanghai International Circuit,…

17 hours ago