Overview

• Race was red-flagged on the formation lap and sat idle for more than 80 minutes before four safety-car laps let cars circulate on a drying track.
• Drivers were briefed on media day about a conservative wet-weather stance at Spa due to the track’s fatal history.
• Supporters of the delay cite fatal accidents at Spa and Silverstone as justification for erring on the side of caution.
• Critics including Brundle, Albon and Verstappen argue modern F1 cars generate excessive spray that makes true wet racing unsafe and rare.
• Proposals for open-graded asphalt and car design tweaks ahead of the 2026 regulations aim to reduce spray while the FIA has yet to revise its wet-weather protocols.