Safety must always take precedent in Formula One, and sadly it meant Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team and our rivals could not put on the Belgian Grand Prix the fans deserved.
When the track action was lacking, the fans shone brightly, and it did not go unnoticed. We truly appreciate your love for Formula One.
From the bottom of Eau Rouge, past the Kemmel Straight and ending at the Bus Stop chicane, we felt your support in every lap across the weekend.
It was humbling to see fans waiting for hours in the hope of watching a full Grand Prix around the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, despite the cold and constant downpour.
Our drivers signalled their thanks from the pitlane, and, alongside the FIA, Formula One and the teams, we were determined to find a way to put on the race.
Formula One and the FIA worked tirelessly to find a window in which the race could take place after the first formation lap led to a delay due to worsening conditions.
Hours of further delays followed before the race began and ended behind the Safety Car.
CEO & Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer apologised to the fans and explained why the race could not continue.
He said: "On behalf of everyone at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, I want to say how sorry I am for the fans, who braved the weather in the hope of watching an exciting 44-lap race on the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit but ended up enduring a damp squib – literally.
"However, the safety of the drivers, marshals, photographers and camera operators is of course paramount, and the FIA had no choice other than to make the difficult decision they did."
Belgian Grand Prix
Get the lowdown on the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that made history as Formula One's shortest-ever Grand Prix when torrential rain and challenging conditions afflicted Spa throughout Sunday. Hear from Otmar, Sebastian and Lance as they recount the challenging day.
As the race did not pass the three-quarter distance, half points were awarded, meaning Sebastian Vettel's fifth-place finish yielded five points for the Constructors' Championship.
Sebastian and team-mate Lance Stroll underlined the challenge for all involved at Spa on Sunday.
"I feel sorry we could not give them [the fans] the entertainment they deserved to see," said Sebastian.
"The rain just never stopped and, when we did go out, the spray was very bad with low visibility.
"The FIA had to make some tough decisions today. It is not easy for them, but safety has to be the priority, and even though their decisions may not have been popular they were probably the right ones."
Lance added: "It is a real shame for the fans. I am sorry they waited all afternoon for a race that ended in the sad way it did.
"We cannot control the weather and safety must come first. It is a tough decision for the FIA and Formula One to make, but it was the right one.
"Visibility out on track was really bad. It is not a nice feeling to be on sections like the Kemmel Straight, where it is so fast, and you cannot see in front of you because of the spray."
And now our attention has turned towards the return of the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, with a new-look Zandvoort sure to create the ingredients for an exciting race.
We're looking forward to racing in front of crowds once again, and your support only motivates us further as we bid to score points at Zandvoort.
Fans mean everything to us, and we're committed to bringing you into the heart of our story throughout the remainder of the season through I / AM, our free-to-join membership programme and an opportunity for anybody to get involved with the team. All in. All welcome. All celebrated.
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