The notoriously fickle weather in the Ardennes forest region forced a delay to the start of today’s practice session for the Belgium Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps this morning.
The session was due to begin at 8am Irish time but race officials three times put-back the start by 15 minutes because the low cloud cover meant the medical helicopters were unable to take-off.
The helicopters must be able to fly to respond to any emergency on the high-speed track.
Light rain was also falling on the track raising the prospect of another day littered with crashes on the most feared circuit on the Formula One calendar.
Newly-crowned world champion Michael Schumacher, Britain's David Coulthard and Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya were among those who crashed out yesterday.
The delay turned into an hour when race officials announced another 15 minutes postponement as the track continued to be enveloped in mist and dark clouds.