The Belgian GP was the first race after the three-week summer break. Enough time for Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) to get behind the two lost races at Silverstone and Hongaroring. From the moment he set foot on the Belgian grid, he was more than ready to fight for the 2021 world title again. His goal was to win at Spa-Francorchamps.

Red flags during training

The weather forecast for the Belgian Ardennes did not bode well for the race weekend. However, Friday was still nice and dry. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) set the fastest time on Friday morning, followed by Verstappen and Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri). The Ferraris also showed up at the front.
The second free practice had two red flags. The first was after a crash of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and the second after a crash of Verstappen. The training was also stopped early. The fastest time was in the name of the Dutchman. He was just ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).
On Saturday, the drivers could no longer avoid the rain. The slicks remained packed in the pit garages, while the green intermediates were placed under the cars. It is well known that Mercedes does a lot less well in the rain than Red Bull. The wet asphalt also offered opportunities for the smaller teams such as Williams. The talent of George Russell (Williams) immediately surfaced. He set the ninth fastest time, while his teammate Nicholas Latifi set the twelfth fastest time, remaining just behind Valtteri Bottas (P11). Verstappen and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing) topped the pack with the fastest lap times.

Russell stunt and Norris crashes

During qualifying, visibility for the drivers deteriorated as more rain fell. In addition, a number of drivers, including Sebastian Vettel, complained about aquaplaning and dangerous conditions. Nevertheless, we managed to complete the qualification completely. Russell did very well and even made it to Q3. Lando Norris (McLaren), Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) and Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) also coped well with the treacherous conditions on the seven kilometer circuit. Until Norris, who was really pushing the limits, flew into the tire pile and spun at least six times before coming to a stop on the other side of the track. Fortunately, he got out unharmed, but the orange car had not survived.
A red flag followed and after the stoppage, the remaining drivers were on the hunt for pole position with seven minutes to go. Everyone came out on intermediates. George Russell immediately gave his business card by setting the fastest time in his Williams. Lewis Hamilton failed to beat that time. After that, all eyes were on Max Verstappen who referred Russell to P2 with three tenths difference. It didn't matter to Russell and his team, they celebrated as if they had already won the race.
Verstappen already took his sixth pole position of the season, against four for Lewis Hamilton. The Briton occupied the second row together with Daniel Ricciardo in P4. Valtteri Bottas did not get further than P8 and also had to take his five-place grid penalty. That punishment was in response to the chaos that the Finn had caused in Hungary.

Belgian Grand Prix

The rainfall radar left no room for doubt: it would rain heavily all day over Spa-Francorchamps. The many fans along the track, who couldn't wait for the race, were well prepared with boots, raincoats and umbrellas. The race management decided to start Sunday's program in any case. This is how the field went on its way to the starting grid. En route, Sergio Pérez, who was to start from P7, shot off the tarmac and damaged the right front suspension of his RB16B. End race!
Waiting, hanging out, playing cards and waving to the fans
Opinions on the track situation were divided. Three formation laps behind the safety car resulted in conflicting reactions. From 'absolutely irresponsible' to 'let's race'. Max Verstappen thought the latter, who would of course suffer the least from the spray on pole. But drivers behind him didn't support him: they could barely see the cars in front of them.
Race officials postponed the start of the race, which is normally at 3 p.m., indefinitely. Good news for Pérez, who almost left the track after his crash. His mechanics were able to get to work repairing the damage to his car. He was even allowed to start, but from the pit lane.
Thus began the long wait. What do you do when it rains? Talking, walking around, sleeping a bit, playing cards, playing football and going outside every now and then to wave to the thousands of fans in the stands opposite the pit lane.
Then the safety car made another trip across the track to see how things were going. But that yielded little. The rain came pouring down and here and there large puddles on the asphalt.

Shortest race in history

Then came the message that the race would be at 6.17 pm. Not the total number of rounds, but for a maximum of one hour. The fans cheered! Finally, those orange smoke bombs could be dropped above the Verstappen stands. But unfortunately. The race turned out to be more of a chore. The drivers drove two laps behind the safety car, after which the race was stopped permanently with a red flag. This was enough to meet the rules to be able to split the points; half points, yes. The Belgian Grand Prix will go down in the books as the shortest race in Formula 1 history.
For Verstappen, Russell and Hamilton another ceremony followed with big goblets and Ferrari 'champagne'. A sensational moment for George Russell, who took 9 points thanks to his super qualifying. He can't miss that seat at Mercedes now, can he?

Next stop: GP of the Netherlands

In the World Cup position, Max Verstappen has come closer again to reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is leading by only three points.
On to Zandvoort, where Formula 1 is finally racing again after 36 years! Sun, sea and a dike of a circuit.