Hamilton stands fast with Verstappen (and against Leclerc and Vasseur)

15:08, 28 Jul

Updated: 15:19, 28 Jul

byNorberto Mujica

Lewis Hamilton is among the few... as is 2021 F1 title rival Max Verstappen. Both drivers lauded for their wet weather racing driving skills stood firmly against the FIA's decision to delay the Belgian Grand Prix race start.

Verstappen was the first to make his stance known before the race start was rescheduled.

The Dutchman then doubled down issuing a 'no more wet racing F1' warning following the 13th championship round's completion.

Hamilton then uttered sentiments that were in line with Verstappen's and pinned the FIA's decision down to an overreaction following the drivers' requests at the British Grand Prix to not resume the race in light of the poor visibility.

Lewis Hamilton was on the charge in the wet at Spa

Read also

Hamilton sides with Verstappen, opposite Vasseur and Leclerc

Wehn confronted with the comments made by Verstappen, the 7-time world champion could not help but side with the Red Bull Racing driver.

In conversation with Gpblog among other media after the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "I would agree (with Verstappen's assessment, ed.)"

When probed if he would have been open to get going at the original starting time, the Ferrari driver was quick to add: "Yeah, yeah, I wanted to. My car was set up for that (wet conditions, ed.). [And then] I waited for it to dry."

Race Control's decision to do a rolling start was something he did not agree on either. "Yeah, definitely could have done a standing start. Especially at the end there, because there was almost a dry line. There was hardly any spray," concluded Hamilton minimising concerns and visibility complaints.

Teammate Charles Leclerc believed the FIA's decision to delay the race was ultimately the right one. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur also sided with the FIA's ruling on suspending the race start procedure.