F1
Climate-sports disruption at Spa-Francorchamps
Two laps like a middle finger, this is the regrettable impression left by this truncated weekend where the thousands of spectators present on the Francorchamps circuit had the unpleasant impression of being the turkeys of a very wet farce . Soaked to the skin, they nevertheless showed self-sacrifice during the four hours of a scenario with an unfortunately all-too-predictable outcome.
It was a little before 15 p.m. when race management indicated that the start would be pushed back to 15:25 p.m. and that the formation laps would be carried out behind the Safety Car. By the appointed time, the peloton had completed two full formation laps during which most drivers reported poor visibility and a lack of grip. The red flag was waved at 15:30 p.m. and everyone returned to the pit lane. A long wait then began with the rain showing no signs of letting up and eyes glued to the clock so as not to miss anything of the three-hour countdown started at 15:00 p.m.
À 17h00, une heure avant le gong fatidique, les commissaires avaient stoppé temporairement la course, figeant les aiguilles pour dans l’espoir (scénarisé pour se
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 90% left to discover.
Already subscribed?
Log in
- Unlimited premium items
- The digital magazine from 20 p.m. every Monday
- All issues of AUTOhebdo available since 2012
Read also
Comments
*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!
1 Comment (s)
To write a comment
Oscar Abine
31/08/2021 at 09:32 a.m.
I can't understand how the F1 decision-makers could let such a charade happen. OK, there had to be contractual constraints for the Grand Prix to take place (although one might wonder whether there are “force majeure” or “exceptional weather conditions” clauses). Still, in order to “save” a few possible forfeits, F1 took the risk of losing much more, both in credibility and public interest. Who can think that even one of the people present at Spa on Sunday will pay for a place in a Grand Prix? And how many viewers will turn away from the discipline? Worse, perhaps, which manufacturers want to see their image associated with this parody? The bet must be on people's lack of memory, I guess. Not sure he's a winner...