The drivers looked pretty unhappy to be put on the back of a truck and toured around the track in the cold, wet Belgian weather. They should also have been down in the dumps about McLaren now having twice as many points as their nearest competitor (Ferrari) half way through the season.
Then, as they drove their own cars around to get to the grid, it started to rain and the crowd put on their ponchos.
Brundle and Rosberg cornered Jos Verstappen on the grid, who was very uncomfortable answering questions about Horner's sacking and also uncomfortable answering questions about the weather, which should have been a safe topic for conversation.
Alonso, Antonelli, Hamilton and Sainz, the bottom four apart from Stroll in Qualifying, would be starting from the pit lane. This could have been a very good choice given the conditions.
There was a long, long delay whilst we watched a tractor clearing water from the track; with shots of amusing signs created by the crowd and scenes from inside the pits. Eventually, they went out on intermediate tyres behind the Safety Car for two trial laps.
A rolling start was soon underway and it wasn't long until Piastri got past Norris. There was a problem with his electrical system. LeClerc did well to hold Verstappen off despite tyres that fell off quickly. On Lap 12, Hamilton (then Gasly and Hulkenberg) came in for the first sets of slick tyres. Piastri followed suit, just as DRS was enabled, and they couldn't double stack as they were so close. A stream of drivers (pretty much everyone) followed them in on the following lap. In the pits LeClerc pulled out of his box in front of his friend Albon (nothing came of it).
It was clear immediately how much of an advantage the dry tyres gave. Hamilton was putting in quickest laps and had jumped into the points. The racing started in earnest. The Saubers were in 9th and 10th and they moved Bortoleto in front of newly-podiumed Hulkenberg to try and attack Lawson.
Despite Norris trying a bit, he never looked to have a shot of getting the lead back. Still, at least he had it for a few hundred metres. LeClerc did an outstanding job of holding back Verstappen to finish third, despite shouting at his colleagues who were providing an inconsistent level of support over the radio. Hamilton did well coming from the pit lane to finish 7th but couldn't overtake Albon.
You have to wonder whether McLaren have learnt their lesson from last year, when Norris lost the drivers championship. Will they ask Lando to support Oscar to secure it this year? It was a real grimace of a smile as he congratulated his team mate.
Off the podium but in the points was Verstappen, Russell, Albon, Hamilton, Lawson, Bortoleto and Gasly. It was a very quiet day for the stewards. When was the last race with no penalties awarded?
There is only a week off until the last race before the summer holiday. How hot will it be in Hungary? Will things reach boiling point between the McLaren drivers? Will Bottas announce that he is driving for Cadillac?