Why the GP of Belgium has been delayed for so long

The heavy morning rains recalled the events of 2021 to the Paddock in Spa-Francorchamps. Furthermore, At the time. For example, the incessant rains in the Ardennes had given rise to a “race” of only two laps behind the safety car.

Four years later. For example, this scenario was able to be avoided, but the race was not exciting, despite promising ingredients such as a legendary circuit, an interesting starting grid and wet conditions. However, The late departure has considerably tempered the ardor. Consequently, transforming what could have been a classic on a wet track into a mainly disputed race on the dry.

After the test, opinions were shared in the paddock. Similarly, Carlos Sainz expressed his “respects” to the race management. In addition, adding that on a circuit like SPA, especially given its recent history, “Better to prevent why gp belgium been delayed than cure” should be the rule. Consequently, Ferrari director Frédéric Vasseur added that it was easy to judge afterwards. Consequently, stressing that the stables would have been the first to criticize the race management if things had been wrong.

For his part, Red Bull said he was surprised by this long delay. In addition, Helmut Marko admitted that Red Bull had chosen a configuration unsuitable for real conditions. Nevertheless, but suggested that“With the good race director”this configuration would have been the right one. In addition, Max Verstappen was also impressed by the decisions of the race director: “If you don’t see anything. Nevertheless, you can always get your foot.”

Poor visibility

In reality. Consequently, this delay was due to several factors and a series of decisions made as and when learned Motorsport.com After the race. Furthermore, The FIA initially planned that the race starts at the scheduled time, at 3 p.m., by a training lap behind the safety car, in accordance with the standard protocol under such conditions. In addition, During this round, the race why gp belgium been delayed management listened to the pilots’ comments.

According to the FIA, almost all the pilots said that visibility was still too bad to run at that time. Furthermore, An in particular pilot was ready to start immediately: Verstappen. The Dutchman expressed his opinion by radio. believing that a few laps behind the safety car would be enough to evacuate most of the stagnant water on the track. Alexander Albon shared this opinion. said it would be good to do a few laps before the rain starts to fall again.

But, following the returns of the majority, a red flag was brandished. At first, the FIA planned to resume the race after a short ten -minute break. However, the regulations require the race director to send a “ten -minute warning” to teams before any recovery. The FIA then noted that new precipitation why gp belgium been delayed was expected at that time, making a quick recovery impossible.

Why did the 3 hours not start to run?

This also raised another question: the three -hour stopwatch – the maximum time window for the race to stand. – had already been triggered? Even the teams did not agree. McLaren told Lando Norris in the way of the stands that this was not the case. because the race had not yet officially started. The owner of the Haas stable, Ayao Komatsu, however interpreted this differently.

Confusion is understandable. Article 5.4D of the Sports Regulation provides that: “If the training round for the race is given behind the safety car. the maximum total duration of the three -hour race begins when the green lights of the starting panel light up to point out that the safety car will leave the grid, in accordance with article 49.2.”

This is exactly what happened at 3 p.m. local time. However. the FIA clarified that this section of the regulation only applies in the event of an effective interruption of the race, and not during the starting procedure itself. This meant that the why gp belgium been delayed race had not officially started. that the conditions of the closed park were still in force. The teams were therefore not authorized to modify their settings in anticipation of dry conditions.

Even if uncertainty still reigned over the upcoming weather. it could seem to disadvantage the teams that opted for a high support adjustment, notably Red Bull, but the director of the team, Laurent Mekies, said that they would not have changed the settings, even if the FIA had authorized it. “When the training lap was suspended, we still expected to drive on a fairly wet track at that time. I don’t think we would have changed anything. even if the closed park had been opened, because we expected to take the track much earlier than what happened.”

Why gp belgium been delayed

Additional training laps

According to the FIA. the rain that followed the red flag lasted about 30 minutes. why gp belgium been delayed After that, the officials waited a little longer before sending the medical car on the track at 4 p.m., in order to collect information on the condition of the track. Alan Van der Merwe reported to the race management that several sections still had significant accumulations of water. recommended giving the commissioners for ten minutes to clean the surface.

The “ten -minute notice” was therefore given at 4:10 pm and the cars left the lane of the stands at 4:20 p.m. It should be noted that the FIA had initially announced that “The race [allait] to resume”but this announcement was. then corrected because the race had never officially started.

Once the pilots are back on track. the initial plan was to complete only two laps behind the safety car. Several competitors, including Lewis Hamilton, believed that it was now possible to take over the race safely.

However. the race management has judged that the projections of water in the straight line of Kemmel, especially after the stiffen, remained too dangerous. It is a particularly traitor sector of the emblematic circuit. where visibility is why gp belgium been delayed compromised even in dry weather in the event of an incident. An additional round behind the safety car was therefore added.

A fourth round followed. but this time for a different reason: it was necessary to determine if the race was going to start with a stopped or launched departure. The fans naturally hoped for a stopped departure. and the weather conditions could have allowed it, but the FIA also had to take into account another factor: the starting grid itself, and more specifically the quantity of stagnant water and the imbalance between the driest side and the wealthiest side. The driest side offered much better grip. while the other side was still covered with water puddles, which created an unjust advantage and a potential risk for the safety of half of the pilots.

Why gp belgium been delayed

Spa highlights F1 problems in the rain

This resulted in a delay why gp belgium been delayed of more than. 90 minutes before the green flag was agitated.

First of all, this afternoon once again highlighted the current F1 difficulties on wet tracks. Most pilots still do not appreciate the Pirelli rain tires. which should still evolve by 2026, but water projections remain the main problem. Add the reputation of SPA to that, and you get the prudent approach observed on Sunday.

Some teams in the paddock have deemed this decision too conservative. but from the FIA point of view, security was absolute priority. Finding the right balance between security and spectacle remains a difficult task.