Home

Verstappen & Russell ‘Risked Their Bums’, Ecclestone Defends Half Points at Belgian GP

Published 08/31/2021, 7:52 AM EDT

Belgian Grand Prix will go down as one of the oddest races in the history of F1. The race is officially the shortest race in the history of Formula One. Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone mentioned the drivers deserved half points for the race.

The former F1 boss revealed points were rewards for the drivers’ efforts on Saturday qualifying. But he believes F1 bosses should refund the money back to the fans as there was no competitive action on Sunday.

WATCH STORY: Biggest Pitlane Mishaps Featuring Hamilton, Raikkonen & Verstappen

Article continues below this ad

Former F1 boss agrees on the decision to reward half points to drivers

As reported by F1-insider, Bernie mentioned that Max, George, and Lewis were deservedly on the podium as they set amazing laps in qualifying.

“Max Verstappen, George Russell, and all the others risked their bums in qualifying and did a fantastic job. It is therefore only right that it should be appreciated. Perhaps one should think more about distributing points in qualifying than before. ” said Bernie.

But Bernie has criticized the FIA and F1 for the handling of the race.

“It was a disaster. You have no influence on the weather, how you deal with it, but you do. You could tell that nobody wanted to take responsibility and make decisions. So they flew like in weightless space. And in the end, they did everything wrong together,” said the former F1 boss.

Why did F1 Ban Refueling?

There would still be enough profit left: Bernie Ecclestone

Ecclestone mentioned the F1 decided to go ahead with the race because of the money and they wanted to make a profit. But he suggested that if they wanted to race, they should have raced for more than two laps behind the safety car.

“Then I do a lot more laps behind the safety car. On the one hand, to really hope that the weather will improve and that the route will dry off. Second, so that you don’t look like you are now. Because it couldn’t be more revealing than stopping after exactly two rounds. Now everyone knows it was only for commercial reasons. ” said Bernie.

Article continues below this ad

Ecclestone continued F1 should refund the money back to the fans for Sunday.

“With the money that the rights holders earned from their two cheating rounds, they should compensate the fans who stayed in the rain for ten hours. There would still be enough profit left,” concluded Bernie.

Article continues below this ad

Many drivers have also stated that the sport should refund the fans for the lack of action on Sunday.

Should F1 refund the money for Spa? Let us know.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Devang Chauhan is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having completed his graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication, he has a keen eye for writing engaging and detailed articles on F1. Previously a writer for Sports Social's 'Chase Your Sport' Magazine, Devang has been an ardent follower of the sport for over a decade and has attended two editions of the Indian Grand Prix.

Verstappen & Russell ‘Risked Their Bums’, Ecclestone Defends Half Points at Belgian GP

Former F1 boss agrees on the decision to reward half points to drivers

Trending

Lewis Hamilton Turns New York’s Fifth Avenue into an Improvised Street Circuit in Latest Stunt Ahead of Miami GP

“Uncle” Lando Norris Shares Heartwarming Moment With Max Verstappen’s GF’s Daughter Penelope

Lando Norris Faces Brutal Injury After Party With Martin Garrix Goes Wrong Ahead of Miami GP

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

F1 Miami GP 2024: Lovebirds Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Join Patrick Mahomes and His Wife for a Double Date

There would still be enough profit left: Bernie Ecclestone