The Belgian Grand Prix faced a halt before the race even began due to safety concerns arising from wet weather conditions at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps. The formation lap, scheduled for 2 pm UK time, revealed extensive standing water on the track, prompting race control to red-flag the event and instruct all cars back to the pit lane. Poor visibility and excessive spray were reported by drivers, leading to the decision made by the FIA.
Lando Norris, who secured the pole position, expressed significant visibility issues over the radio during the formation lap. Despite the consensus among many drivers regarding poor visibility, Max Verstappen, starting from fourth on the grid, disagreed with the decision to abandon the race start, advocating for a cautious approach to the conditions.
The inclement weather forecast indicated heavy rain approaching, resulting in an hour-long delay. Subsequently, the FIA announced a rescheduled formation lap at 4:20 pm local time, followed by additional laps behind the safety car until the track conditions improved for normal racing to resume.
Spa-Francorchamps, a historic venue in F1, has faced challenges with unpredictable weather patterns over the years. The 2021 race exemplified this with only two laps completed behind the safety car, leading to all drivers maintaining their qualifying positions and receiving half points due to unsafe racing conditions.
In a strategic shift, F1 disclosed that Belgium will not have a guaranteed annual race slot in the future. Spa-Francorchamps will host races in four of the next six seasons, with absences in 2028 and 2030. This change aligns with the evolving trend of European circuits moving towards rotational hosting arrangements, with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya potentially following suit after the upcoming season.
