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Verstappen wins F1's shortest race in Belgium
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Race winner Max Verstappen (R2), second-placed George Russell (L2) and third-finished Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrate on the podium after the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Race winner Max Verstappen (R2), second-placed George Russell (L2) and third-finished Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrate on the podium after the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen won F1's shortest race on Sunday, a wet Belgian Grand Prix with no overtaking that was called off as soon as enough safety car-led laps had been completed to award half-points.

With no actual racing allowed, the Dutchman secured his sixth win of the season ahead of Britain's George Russell, who had put Williams on the front row with a stunning display in a wet qualifying on Saturday.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who again missed out on the chance to secure a record-extending 100th win, was third for Mercedes.

It was only the sixth time since the first championship in 1950 that half points had been awarded, and Hamilton's lead over Verstappen in the overall standings dwindled to just three points.

Red Bull also cut their deficit to Mercedes in the constructors' standings to seven.

"It's a big shame to not do proper laps but the conditions were very tricky out there," said Verstappen after sealing his 16th career win and first at Spa.

"Of course, it's a win but it's not how you want to win."

Max Verstappen steers his Red Bull Racing car in the rain during the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Max Verstappen steers his Red Bull Racing car in the rain during the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Hamilton said the fans, who sat huddled for three hours in the torrential rain and cold, should be given their money back.

Russell, in his 50th race with Williams, secured his first F1 podium and handed the former champions their first top-three result since Canadian Lance Stroll's third place in Baku in 2017.

"We don't often get rewarded for great qualifiers and we absolutely did today," said the 23-year-old.

"The whole team deserve it because there's so much hard work going into this over the last few years and there's not really been anything to show for it."

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing drives behind the safety car during the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing drives behind the safety car during the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Conditions at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit had begun deteriorating before the start of the race.

The formation lap was initially delayed by 25 minutes but, with poor visibility, F1 race director Michael Masi suspended the race.

After nearly three hours, race control found a window to send the cars out for two laps behind the safety car, ensuring they completed the minimum distance required for a race result to be declared.

The governing FIA's final race classification, however, gave the positions after lap one, explaining that this was in accordance with the sporting regulations.

A technical vehicle clears water from the track as the race is suspended over rainy weather during the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

A technical vehicle clears water from the track as the race is suspended over rainy weather during the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, August 29, 2021. /CFP

The race was ultimately called off three hours and 44 minutes after its scheduled start time and went down in the sport's statistics as only the 11th without a single retirement.

Mexican Sergio Perez crashed his Red Bull on his sighting lap before even forming up on the grid but stewards allowed him to start the race from the pitlane, with Red Bull Racing mechanics taking advantage of the delay to complete repairs.

It proved to be in vain as the 31-year-old was classified last.

Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who started 13th after a five-position grid drop, moved up a place after Perez's crash. He finished outside the points in 12th.

Source(s): Reuters

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