Sir Lewis Hamilton has said he believes that F1 fans who bought tickets for the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix should get a refund.
The race, which was the first grand prix since Formula 1’s summer shutdown, was repeatedly delayed due to heavy rain.
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It eventually got underway behind the Safety Car around 20 minutes later than scheduled, only for the grand prix to swiftly be suspended due to extremely poor visibility.
The drivers set off once again behind the Safety Car some three hours later, but the race was once again red-flagged after a couple of laps.
The Belgian Grand Prix didn’t get restarted again due to the sun setting and night approaching, but as two laps were completed, drivers and teams were awarded half points.
Speaking after the “race”, Hamilton – who finished in P3, as he started – said he is hoping that spectators get their money back.
“I feel really sorry for the fans today,” the seven-time World Champion said.
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“It was no one’s fault obviously with this weather, but the fans have been incredible today just 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 that 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 today.”
Asked for his thoughts on half points being awarded for the farcical race, Hamilton replied: “Well, money talks.
“It was literally two laps to start the race, all money scenario, so everyone gets their money and I think the fans should get theirs back too, because unfortunately they didn’t get to see what they came and paid for.
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“It’s a shame we can’t do the race tomorrow. Today wasn’t a race.
“I think the sport made a bad choice today, of course we wanted to race, but there is a minimum of two laps you need to do to count as a race, and between that gap of stopping the first time and the second time, it had rained consistently.
“So there is only one reason why they sent us out, so that’s why I feel more bad for the fans,” he added.
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