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Why did Spa Freeze in the Rain?
Is Formula 1 losing its identity? Why did the Belgian Grand Prix take nearly 90 minutes to start?
On Sunday, us, the Formula 1 audience, sat down expecting an exciting race with heavy rain that would have added drama and uncertainty. Instead, we were given a delay of over an hour before the race finally started, with the track already starting to dry up. To add to this, one of the most exciting parts of the race, the start, was cancelled as the drivers were led by the safety car for the first 4 laps. The delay came from visibility concerns, with Charles Leclerc declaring "The track is in really bad shape", and George Russell stating that he had "Zero visibility".
The Dutchman, Max Verstappen, who finished P4 behind Piastri in first, Norris second and Leclerc third, believes that the race should have begun at "three o'clock, straight away." "It was not even raining" he further added. He even stated his feelings towards the FIA: "At the end of the day they just do what they want, right." Furthermore, he added that the safety car start was "a bit silly."
So why does this hurt beyond just one race? We came for rain. Rain that always gives us drama. Rain that delivers unexpected results like Hulkenberg finishing P3 in Silverstone with Kick Sauba. We did not get that in Spa, but instead we saw four laps erased from the race, whilst the track dried up. So what really are the point in wet tyres? If the conditions for wet tyres are too dangerous, then why not scrap them and just have the intermediates? There was no insight about the weather from race control. And silence? It fuels doubt. Doubt that continues to linger over the FIA. What direction are they really taking this sport in?
Did the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix have anything to do with it? Some fans have pointed to the 'confusing' events that occurred at spa in 2021, where after a three hour start delay, and just two laps that were behind the safety car, the race was cancelled and half points were awarded. It was deemed as an embarrassment by the FIA.
Since then, could the FIA be trying not to repeat the chaos, but instead protecting the sport too much, which is ultimately draining the 'thrill' out of the sport?
Spa 2025 was a race that was trapped between two fears: breaking the rules or breaking cars. However, when a race is delayed for 80 minutes due to weather conditions, the FIA start to be questioned as the wet tyres are there to be used, so why not
use them when they are most needed, but instead only for a few laps when the track is drying up? The fans turn up expecting an exciting race but did not get it.
Ultimately, the question must be raised. What actually is the bigger risk for Formula 1: racing in the rain or stripping the sport of what makes it thrilling?
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