Hamilton trusts in FIA over Belgian GP safety

Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday he trusted Formula One's governing body to ensure drivers were safe if bad weather disrupts this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

The race comes after 18-year-old Dutch racer Dilano van't Hoff died in a wet race at Spa in early July, his crash carrying echoes of French F2 driver Anthoine Hubert's fatal accident in 2019.

Mercedes' seven-time world champion told reporters at Spa-Francorchamps when asked about any safety concerns: "It is not something I ever think of. I think as a driver it's not something you can ever really let into your mind.

"I don't think we would be here if they (the FIA) didn't think we would be safe.

"I trust in them as they have done such incredible work over the last couple of decades, I trust in them to make the right decisions moving forward."

Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas said the drivers were in the hands of the FIA's race director in bad weather.

"Visibility is a big one here if its raining but that's when someone else needs to control the drivers, can they start the race or not, and to make sure that nothing happens," said Bottas.

Meanwhile Alpine Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly invited all F1, F2 and F3 personnel to take part in a special 'Run for Anthoine' around Spa on Thursday night in honour of the late Hubert, who he was close friends with. 

"I'm someone that is emotional," said Gasly ahead of the Belgian GP. "I think I link places with emotions, and I've had the worst emotions of my life here. But at the same time, it's one of my favourite tracks, so it's very contradictory."

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