Multiplayer Race does not start

Help please: online multiplayer works up to the traffic lights, but then the race does not start. I see all cars staying idle and nothing else happens.

At some point, when you give up on waiting and leave the race, you get “disconnected” and lose points.

Anyone else facing the same issue? How did you solve it? I tried everything as recommended by support, even re-installing the game on my iPhone but no joy.