Belgian Grand Prix Sprint delay confirmed

The FIA has confirmed the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint start will be pushed back following a delay to the Sprint Shootout session.

Persistent heavy rain at Spa-Francorchamps prompted track workers to try and clear standing water off the circuit.

The delay to the session ran for 35 minutes, although drivers were running on Slick tyres by the end of SQ3.

A spokesperson for the FIA explained that due to the mandatory four-and-a-half hour gap between the starts of Sprint Shootout and Sprint, the latter must be moved back to allow teams to prepare for race.

Max Verstappen will start the 15-lap event from the front after qualifying his Red Bull just 0.011secs faster than McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Carlos Sainz is third ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, with the Sprint now scheduled for 17:05 local time.