Aug.27 (GMM) Just over two hours before opening practice at Spa-Francorchamps, it is raining heavily at the famous circuit.

A very poor day of weather in the Belgian Ardennes is forecast, with both of F1's 90 minute practice sessions likely to be affected.

"I hope the weather clears up as it doesn't look so great out there at the moment," Lewis Hamilton told reporters on Thursday.

Earlier, it seemed there was the prospect of some sunnier spells at Spa this weekend, but local reports now predict the chance of variable rain throughout the event.

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