Heavy rains stops Ganadian Grand Prix
Rain halted the Grand Prix on sunday Reuters

MONTREAL - The Canadian Formula One Grand Prix resumed behind the safety car after a rain delay of more than two hours on Sunday.

Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel was leading, after starting on pole position, when the race was red flagged and cars ordered to park on the starting grid as rain lashed the the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with just 24 of 70 laps completed. The race was the first run in wet weather this season, making the twisting and challenging layout all the more treacherous. All agreed that it was the right decision to halt the race and wait for conditions to improve.

It's just way too dangerous, (FIA race director) Charlie (Whiting) has done the right thing to stop the race, said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. In conditions like these, drivers are just absolute passengers.

Lewis Hamilton's bid for a Canadian hat-trick, after winning twice before in Montreal, had already ended after just eight laps when he collided with McLaren team mate Jenson Button.

It's the first time I have driven the car in the wet so it's all new, Force India's British rookie Paul Di Resta told BBC television. It's all been a new experience but I must say the right decision was taken there.

Sebastian Vettel, looking for a sixth victory this season, restarted in pole position at 3:50pm, followed by Kamui Kobayashi and Felipe Massa. Before the rain delay, a solid fight had been happening between McLaren pilots Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, ending with Hamilton abandoning his car on the circuit after an incident with Button, who had to go back to the stands before going again.