Rain had been forecast for Sunday throughout the week, only to reduce the chances as the scheduled start approached 3 p.m.
But after the clouds grew over Monaco while the pre-race grid ceremonies were held, light rain began to fall before it grew in intensity, forcing teams to quickly squeeze wet tires on the grid.
FIA race director Eduardo Freitas suspended the start procedure five minutes before the scheduled start before the training lap would start nine minutes late at 15:09 local time.
Freitas then indicated that the training lap would start behind the safety car, which means all teams had to change their riders to wet tires.
Then the departure was delayed again, this time at 15.16 local time, as the rain continued to grow in intensity. The race control again indicated that the training lap would start behind the safety car with all the drivers with the tires folded.
“Race control monitored a heavy downpour that was rapidly approaching the circuit and, as it arrived during the exit procedure, the safety car exit and its associated procedures were implemented,” the FIA said. in a statement explaining the call the delay of departure.
“This was done for safety reasons, as there were no wet races this weekend.”
But on completing the first lap of training, the safety car was left out and continued to lead the field, before control of the race took the call to mark the race during the second lap at 15:20 after the race. rain becomes more intense.
Several riders reported that the rain had become much harsher during the training laps and returned to the pit lane when the race was marked with a red flag, with teams raising tents to keep cars dry during the stop.
Mick Schumacher told his engineer that “he had never been so wet in a Formula 1 car.”
The race will start with a 10 minute notice of the race control.