Max Verstappen slams FIA and calls for major rule change after F1 Belgian GP as Lewis Hamilton speaks out

Formula One champion Max Verstappen has hit out at the sport's governing body and called for a huge change after the chaotic Belgian Grand Prix.

Despite an exciting sprint race and qualifying session, hopes of a thrilling Belgian Grand Prix quickly faded after the race was delayed due to the heavy rain that fell on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Thankfully, nearly 90 minutes late, the race got underway in challenging conditions, with current championship leader Oscar Piastri taking home another race win ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

After the race, many of the drivers spoke out about the conditions and the FIA's decision to red flag the race and delay the start following the formation lap, with the grid seemingly divided on the issue.

But one man that was absolutely certain about his view on the matter was Verstappen, who didn't hold back as he hit out at the FIA's decision-making after the race.

Max Verstappen was not happy with the FIA's decision-making during the Belgian Grand Prix. (Image: Getty)

Once the decision to delay the race due to poor visibility caused by the spray from the cars on the formation laps, all 20 drivers were told to return to the pits and await further instructions.

Immediately, Verstappen took to the team radio to criticise the decision, calling it 'silly' and suggesting that they should have at least done a few laps before the red flags were shown.

And it appears that he maintained this view throughout the race as, after finishing the race in fourth, he spoke out against the FIA, calling for them to make their stances on wet race more clear.

Verstappen said: "We should have started miles earlier, an hour earlier. A bit of a shame. They took a very cautious approach which we spoke about after Silverstone, to be a little bit more cautious.

"But, for me, this was then the other extreme. It just ruined a nice, classic wet race as well. We either still try to push for a proper wet race, or we say, 'You know what, let's just stop racing in the wet and wait for it to be dry. But that's not what you want, right?

"We can still have some really cool wet racing, like we showed at Silverstone."

For Verstappen, who is known for his impressive driving in wet conditions, starting the race earlier may have helped him get past third-placed Charles Leclerc, who he failed to catch in dry conditions.

Lewis Hamilton has also spoken out about the controversial start to the Belgian Grand Prix. (Image: Getty)

What has Lewis Hamilton said about the delays to the Belgian Grand Prix?

But Verstappen wasn't the only driver who felt that the FIA made the wrong decision regarding the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, as former rival Hamilton agreed with the Dutchman's claims when speaking post-race.

When asked if he agreed with Verstappen’s opinion that the race should not have started with an extended safety car period, Hamilton said: “I would agree. “My car was set up for that as well. They waited for it to dry.”

The Ferrari star agreed with those that argued that the race should not have began with a rolling start as conditions were safe enough for a normal start procedure.

“Definitely could have done a standing start,” he added.

"Especially at the end there. It was almost a dry line. It was hot in the spray. So definitely could have done it.”