Formula 1 changes Spa schedule due to bad weather

Saturday’s Formula 1 sprint race ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has been delayed as a result of bad weather.

Rain has been a factor all weekend long at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps leading up to Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix. The dangerous nature of the track, especially when wet, has led to a debate over whether or not the Formula 1 race should ultimately be called off.

A schedule change has now been made at the 19-turn, 4.352-mile (7.004-kilometer) road course in Stavelot, Belgium, and it remains to be seen whether or not it will be the last weather-related schedule change of the race weekend.

Saturday’s sprint race was scheduled to get underway shortly after 10:25 a.m. ET, with live coverage set to be provided by ESPN2, but now it has been pushed back to 11:00 a.m. ET. That updated start time remains subject to change.

ESPN2 is still set to provide live coverage of Saturday’s Formula 1 sprint race at Spa.

Earlier on Saturday in a qualifying session which was also impacted by rain, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the pole position for Saturday’s 15-lap sprint race.

The two-time reigning world champion and world championship leader was also the fastest in a rain-affected qualifying session for Sunday’s 44-lap Grand Prix on Friday, but he is set to start in sixth place after taking a five-position grid penalty after exceeding his gearbox allowance. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is set to start on pole.

Last year, Verstappen was also the fastest qualifier for the Belgian Grand Prix, but a grid penalty resulted in him starting in 14th place. He still rallied to win the race.

Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any of the weekend’s action from Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and be sure to stay up to date on any future weather-related schedule changes ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. The Belgian Grand Prix itself is set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 8:55 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 30.