With the Spa-Francorchamps circuit blan🧸keted by mist and consistent heavy rain, the race start was initially delayed by 25 minutes before the field was eventually led away from the grid behind the Safety Car.

After 𒈔one full formation lap, the red flag was brought out following a number of complaints from the drivers, with race c♕ontrol announcing the start procedure had been suspended.

While polesitter Max Verstappen felt conditions w🍬ere race-able, a number of his rivals reported conce🤡rns over aquaplaning and visibility.

World championship leader Lewis Hamilton said: "I really can't see a💛nything.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris added: “It's pretty awf𝔉ul. I can barely see 🌠the car in front.”

Alfa Romeo 🐓driver Antonio Giovinazzi reported conditions we𝕴re “underivable.”

It is the third consecutive rac🔯e that has been red-flagged this season after the Brit🌠ish and Hungarian grands prix.

During the suspension, Red Bull asked FIA race director Michael Masi if Sergio Perez would be able to compete if the team can fix his car after the Mexican crashed on his 🀅way tಞo the grid. 

"That would be a no," responded Masi. "Because he's had outside as💛sistance to get back in."

Red Bull spꦺorting director Jonathan Wheatley replied: "It's not Le Mans, so I think he can do that, and mechani♑cal assistance only counts in the race"

Red Bull mechanics ar𒁃e currently working on Perez's car after it was recovered from Les Combes and returned to the garage.