Verstappen wins 3-lap race, shortest ever in F1

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won Formula One’s shortest race on Sunday with the rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix red-flagged after three laps behind the safety car and half-points awarded for only the sixth time ever.

Fans waited for three hours in torrential rain at the Spa-francorchamps circuit before the safety car led the field from the pitlane.

The race was then stopped after completing the laps necessary for half points to be scored. George Russell, who put his Williams on the front row with a stunning lap in a wet qualifying session on Saturday, finished second to secure his first Formula One podium.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was third for Mercedes and the Briton’s overall lead over Verstappen was cut from eight points to three.

“It’s a big shame to not do proper laps, but the conditions were very tricky out there,” Verstappen said after sealing what will count as his 16th career win and sixth this season.

The rain never really relented, with conditions deteriorating even before the start.

Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Mclaren, ahead of Sebastian Vettel in his Aston Martin, with Pierre Gasly sixth for Alphatauri and fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon seventh for Renault-owned Alpine.

Charles Leclerc was eighth for Ferrari with Montreal’s Nicholas Latifi ninth for Williams and Spaniard Carlos Sainz taking a half point in 10th for Ferrari.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll of Montreal was 18th, with no points awarded. Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who started 13th in his Mercedes after a five-place grid drop, moved up a place after Perez’s crash.

He finished out of the points in 12th.

Hamilton said fans should get their money back.

“Money talks and the two laps to start the race is all a money scenario,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “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 paid for.”