Heavy rain impacts the 1st practice for the Belgian GP ahead of qualifying #Heavy #rain #impacts #1st #practice #Belgian #ahead #qualifying

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — The first practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix took place amid heavy rain and gloomy conditions before qualifying later on Friday.

Governing body FIA said the grid for Sunday’s race would be set in order of the championship standings if qualifying has to be canceled due to weather conditions.

Because this weekend features a sprint race on Saturday, qualifying for Sunday’s main race itself was on Friday with only one practice session beforehand.

It took place amid a downpour at the 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) Spa-Francorchamps circuit, located in the Ardennes forest.

With visibility poor due to the water spray and a slippery surface, drivers did not look to set competitive times.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. had a leading time of 2 minutes, 3.2 seconds, while runaway championship leader Max Verstappen was among the five drivers not to set a time.

Verstappen has a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after a gearbox change on his Red Bull, meaning he will start sixth if he leads qualifying or if the grid order is imposed.

Midway through the first practice session, Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and Williams driver Alex Albon both slid off track, as did Albon’s teammate Logan Sargeant. The rookie American driver locked his tires, couldn’t turn and went straight on at Les Combes.

With his car parked by the barriers, a red flag came out.

Only a handful of drivers came out for the final minutes of the first practice, with fans dotted around the track huddling under umbrellas.