Once again, Formula 1 had to face challenging weather conditions at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. The race start was delayed by over an hour—not so much because of the intensity of the rain itself, but due to the impossibility of safely racing on a soaked track. However, it is important to understand that rain per se is not the primary problem, at least not regarding tire grip. The critical issue, especially with these modern Formula 1 cars, is visibility.
Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic circuits in the world, but also among the most dangerous on the calendar. Track conditions become critical when there is standing water. Blind corners such as Eau Rouge-Raidillon become a leap into the unknown when a wall of spray completely obscures the driver’s view. This is no coincidence, as this circuit has tragically witnessed recent losses in junior formula categories: Anthoine Hubert in 2019 and Dilano van ’t Hoff in 2023.
Every time race control waits for the track to dry, or when the race starts behind the safety car or is delayed due to rain, the debate reignites: “Why don’t they race anymore in the wet?” The initial accusations quickly target Pirelli and the FIA, blaming them for dulling the spectacle. In reality, the Italian manufacturer’s wet-weather tires provide all the grip necessary to race and are far more effective than many assume: they can evacuate up to 85 liters of water per second per tire. The real enemy is not grip, but the towering spray generated behind the cars—and even here, the tires are not the main culprit.
With the current generation of ground-effect cars, the floor acts like a giant vacuum, lifting water off the track and projecting it upwards through the diffuser. The result is a dense cloud of spray that reduces visibility to near zero for the following drivers. This phenomenon was clearly demonstrated during Ferrari’s testing at Fiorano, where large mudguards were trialed on the wheels in an attempt to reduce spray. The outcome? The mudguards proved ineffective because most of the spray did not come from the tires, but from the car’s floor.
Drivers’ opinions are not decisive
In this context, even the statements of some drivers—who claim they are ready to race in all conditions—carry little weight. We know their mindset: courageous risk-takers willing to push limits to compete. However, safety in Formula 1 cannot be left solely to individual recklessness or bravery.
Some voices offer a more balanced perspective. “We cannot blame race control because we would be the first to criticize them if something happened,” said Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur during the post-race briefing.
Nostalgia for a Formula 1 that (fortunately) no longer exists
Is there nostalgia for an era when races were run regardless of conditions, even in torrential rain? When drivers faced impossible situations with fearless—and sometimes reckless—determination? It must be remembered that in those days, death was part of the equation. Statistics speak clearly: more than one fatality per year during the 1970s and 1980s. Do we really want to return to that past?
Many wonder why full wet tires still exist with this generation of cars, and this question is certainly legitimate. Perhaps they will be used on circuits where poor visibility poses less risk, or perhaps they may never be used at all.
Today, safety is the top priority. Perhaps at the expense of some spectacle, but a championship that guarantees the safety of its drivers is the only one worth watching.
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