Masi: Did the best we could, at least we got something in

He explains the decision process that led to the half points 'race' taking place at a drenched Spa-Francorchamps.

In the end, after over here hours of contemplation and waiting, the field was let loose around the safety car in the non-stop treacherous conditions that constant rain spawned at Spa-Francorchamps. After a couple of laps they finally decided to bring it to an end.

Driver of the Day? Bernd Maylander in the safety car!

Masi, in the deep end of the crucial decision making, explained: "It has been a long old day. Actually, we’ve seen the worst of the weather today, the conditions have not been great all weekend, we’ve had patches [where] we could get activity done but I think the weather got a bit of the better of us.”

As for the faux start very late in the day, Masi said: "It was to see what the conditions were like. We’re in constant contact with our official weather provider and there was a window where it looked like it was provided there, we have the requirement to give a 10-minute warning to everyone.

"So it was like ‘OK let’s try and see if we can find that window’ and a number of teams have said the same thing. They saw that window, and could see exactly what we were trying to do to find that weather window and then the weather came in and got the better of us again."

Postponing the race until Monday was always out of the question said Masi: “There’s no ability to postpone the race until [Monday]. So, obviously from the FIA perspective and jointly with Formula 1, safety is paramount for drivers, the teams, and all of the spectators.

“We gave every available opportunity within the rulebook, within the provisions of the international sporting code... to give us the best opportunity to be able to complete a race.

"And so, you know, unfortunately, on this occasion we could not go the full distance that was available but with the provisions and the ISC [international sporting code] to stop the clock was what we tried to do to see if we could get ourselves in that weather window of some activity.

“It’s obviously disappointing for everyone involved that we couldn’t get the full distance. We did the best that we all possibly could to give us all the opportunity… but at least we got something in,” added Masi.

Formula 1 released the following statement:

"Following the significant weather disruption to the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA and Formula 1 are disappointed for all the fans at the track and at home that the race could not go to full distance, but the safety of the drivers, marshals and spectators must always be the priority.

"The Decision of the Stewards to extend the window in which the race could take place gave every possible opportunity to maximise the day's running, but the weather conditions, unfortunately, did not improve sufficiently to complete more laps."