FIA cancel race due to 'severe weather' as Belgian Grand Prix plunged into chaos

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, have been forced to cancel a race due to the weather conditions ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

On Saturday, Max Verstappen won the sprint at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps before Lando Norris stormed to pole position for Sunday's main race.

The McLaren star beat teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with a time of 1:40.562.

As is often the case in Spa, the weather conditions are very unpredictable, with rain expected throughout Sunday.

In the morning, the Formula 3 race had to be abandoned due to what was described as 'adverse weather conditions'.

The race was ended after two laps behind the safety car, and no points were awarded.

A statement from the FIA read: "Today’s F3 Feature Race was cut short after just two laps under Safety Car due to adverse weather conditions. No points will be awarded."

Earlier in the season, a similar scenario happened during the Miami Grand Prix weekend as the F1 Academy race was called off due to the weather.

Meanwhile, the Formula 2 event did go ahead, but it was shortened, with Alex Dunne winning the feature race.

Delivering an update on how the weather could impact the F1 race, journalist Adam Cooper wrote on social media: "We got through a shortened F2 race and now the rain has stopped and the sun is peeking through... It's still three hours until the F1 cars go to the grid so anything can happen..."

Ahead of the Grand Prix, it has been confirmed that Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso will start the race from the pit lane.

The trio underwent a power unit change, which in turn broke parc ferme rules.

Sky Sports stated on their live blog: "Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli and Fernando Alonso will all start the Belgian Grand Prix from the pit lane.

"That's because all three drivers have changed their power units, therefore broken parc ferme. Hamilton had qualified in 16th, Antonelli 18th and Alonso 19th."