Hamilton: Worst thing is to see drivers in carnage and getting hurt

For two days, Saturday and Sunday, 70,000 spectators were subject to atrocious conditions, at least on Saturday they got to see a massively entertaining Qualifying session but on Sunday were treated to a damp squib as they sat for hours waiting on the race to start.

After the early Sergio Perez drama, pranging his Red Bull on the way to the grid, and three hours of stoppage they finally got a two-lap procession followed by a very strange podium for a race that never was.

Half points were awarded, which meant that the qualifying positions carried over to be the final race results.

Hamilton said in parc ferme afterwards: "I feel really sorry for the fans today. Obviously, it’s no one’s fault with this weather but the fans have been incredible today to stick with us this whole time and hold out for a potential race.

"They knew when they sent us out at the end there that the track wasn’t any better and they did it just so we could start two laps behind the safety car, which is the minimum requirement for a race. I really hope the fans get their money back.

As for the conditions, Hamilton explained: "You couldn’t really see, like five metres in front of you the car disappears, so it was very difficult down the straights to even know where that flashing light was.

"You couldn’t even go flat out because you didn’t know what part of the track they would be on. It’s a shame because of course I wanted to race and it could have been a great race if it hadn’t rained so hard."

In the post 'race' press conference Hamilton added: "It’s a real shame. We obviously can’t control the weather. I’m sure all of us love racing in the rain, especially here in Spa. It’s one of the greatest circuits in the world. I think today, I think just really disappointed for the fans.

"They stood out there for absolute hours in the rain, no covering in the grandstands – I think maybe on the pit grandstand there is – but cold and wet and particularly the kids. More importantly, they had to spend so much money with travelling, accommodation and then they didn’t get a race.

"Unfortunate, and I’m a little bit confused as to why they restarted the race because between the two hours when they stopped us the first time to the last time, there was no change in weather.

"But… yes… I mean I know why, but I do feel the fans were robbed of a race today and I think they probably should get their money back," insisted Hamilton again.

Spa-Francorchamps is notorious for its fickle micro-climate, with a strong tendency to rain as it did this past weekend. Rain affects just about every 24-Hour endurance race held at the venue, which famed for doing so.

Asked if he had experienced anything like it before, the World Champion replied: "Weather-wise I don’t think so… I don’t remember experiencing… I mean, I’ve raced for years, so I don’t remember on the weather side.

"In the background, us being in Melbourne last year [when COVID-19 forced organisers to cancel the race] when we shouldn’t have been, there are some similarities to how today’s gone down but at least everyone’s safe.

"Ultimately, the visibility behind… once we did the start on the grid, as soon as Max pulled away, he just disappeared. I couldn’t even see his red light ahead of me, so it must have been even worse for the guys back at the back.

"The worst thing is to see drivers in carnage and getting hurt. So…" said Lewis.

Asked how things could have been handled differently, he replied: "There was no point at which we could race so there wasn’t a race, but there is a rule that says for it to be a legal race, it has to be – I think – a minimum of two laps.

So they knew that and they sent us out for two laps behind the safety car and that activates a bunch of things and I don’t know all the politics and the background but my most concern is that the fans should probably get their money back.

"I don’t know if by doing the two laps it means they don’t and that’s… I just don’t think that’s what we want. We have better values than that as a sport," ventured the Mercedes driver.

As for reparations, Hamilton is keen for the race to happen later in the year if possible: "I’d absolutely come back. I love it here so if there is a way we could find a window where it wasn’t raining and we give the fans a free race, that would be great."