The race was ultimately delayed by 70 minutes after a heavy downpour but the seven-time champion believed it could have started as scheduled, believing the sport’s drivers are more than capable of dealing with difficult conditions. The FIA cited the drivers’ lack of time racing in the wet over the weekend as one of the reasons for the delay and then starting behind the safety car. We will talk about it in the drivers’ briefing but we should have started the race.”. The FIA have since cited a power cut, caused by the rain and affecting the race’s starting system, as being responsible for the long delay. Initially the race was held for 16 minutes, during which time drivers believed they could have been racing. “The delay to the resumption of the race following the heavy downpour of rain was due to a power issue with the start systems, start gantry, light panels,” the FIA said in a statement.

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