FIA explain farcical delay to wet Monaco Grand Prix after rain began to fall

The FIA has said they were monitoring a “severe downpour” heading for Monaco when they took the decision to delay Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Shortly before the race was due to begin, the weather began to take a turn with drops of rain falling on the Monte Carlo track.

It was announced that the race would not be starting at its scheduled 3PM local time start time but instead at nine minutes past the hour.

That was then delayed again along with the news that the formation lap would be conducted behind Bernd Maylander’s safety car.

This delay seemed in contrast to the weather conditions with the rain still not falling too heavily, leaving drivers like Max Verstappen to ask over the team radio as to why there was even a delay.

With the announcement that the formation lap would be behind the safety car, the drivers were obliged to start on the full wet tyres and eventually they did get out on track behind the safety car.

However, the heavens opened and the rain fell harder than it had at any point throughout the race weekend. The race was then red flagged and the drivers went sent back to the garages.

Explaining their decision, the FIA said it was monitoring the radar for a severe downpour that was approaching the circuit.

“Race Control was monitoring a severe downpour that was rapidly approaching the circuit,” the statement read.

“As it arrived during the start procedure the SC start and its associated procedures were implemented. This was done for safety reasons in consideration of no wet running this weekend.”

30 minutes since the race was supposed to start and the drivers remained out of their cars and in the pits.