F1 analyst sees Verstappen as the big loser of the Belgian GP's delayed start
Jolyon Palmer believes that Max Verstappen was the big loser of the postponed start at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The former driver fully understands the frustration of the four-time world champion.
Given that a lot of rain was predicted for the Belgian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing decided to set up their car for wet weather conditions.
The predicted rain did come, but the setup didn't really pay off. The race was first postponed, and then for a long time run behind a safety car.
''This was a bit of a frustration for all, I think,'' Palmer reflected in his analysis for F1TV on the delayed start at Spa-Francorchamps.
''Obviously, no one wants to see a delayed Grand Prix in any case. But particularly in Spa, when we got to slick tires in 11 laps, it shows to me that the race was definitely left too long, behind the safety car and suspended.''
Poor visibility at Spa-Francorchamps
According to the former Renault driver, the Formula 2 drivers earlier on Sunday had proven that driving was simply possible, as they came into action without problems under more intense conditions.
Looking at the footage from the first lap, Palmer admitted it was the right call not to start racing immediately: ''This is the first lap of the Grand Prix, and the spray is pretty bad here for everyone, the visibility is really bad. This is behind the safety car.''
''And you just can't see anything, and this is a reduced speed. So, personally, I think this was the right call, to not start the race at this moment, particularly because about five minutes later, there was even more rain to come.''
Palmer understands criticism, but makes a note
There has been a lot of criticism in recent days about the way the rainy conditions were handled. Many believed that the race could have started much earlier.
''I know everyone wants to see racing. You want to see big dramatic wet races. We've had many of them in the past of spa, but sadly, in spa, we've also had tragedies in recent years,'' he said, referring to the tragic accident of Delano van 't Hoff.
''So everyone was very, very twitchy about racing because we know the dangers, particularly in this circuit. So you've got to learn from these sort of things.''
While the Brit thus has understanding for the situation, he emphasized that the race - in his in his view - could have started about twenty minutes to half an hour earlier.
Understanding for Max Verstappen
''Of course, the drivers have to conflicting interest here as well.'' The race direction was stuck in a difficult position, Palmer suggested.
For example, Lando Norris wanted a dry race, while Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had set their car up for a wet race, and hence preferred to start under wet conditions: ''It's a really difficult job for them to do and to get it right when there is safety in play.''
And who was the big loser in this situation? Max Verstappen: ''I would say he was the man that really lost out with this decision, and you could understand his frustration afterwards.''
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