Following long delays for the typical Spa weather, Max Verstappen crossed the finish line for the F1 Belgian GP in the same position that he qualified. Speaking after the race in the print media pen, Verstappen spoken on his disappointment and expectations for the race.
The Dutch driver also explained how the team’s set-up choice and the FIA’s decision to avoid race running in the rain impacted his result.
The set-up was for the wrong conditions
The Belgian GP was off to a slow start after the initial formation lap was suspended. Drivers reported visibility was low and the race start was delayed. Heavy rain soon fell and the race resumed approximately forty minutes later.
When asked how he found the race overall, Verstappen focused on the decision to delay the race start. He responded rather critically of the FIA’s decision to delay the start for so long.
The drivers had asked for a more conservative approach to red flagging wet conditions following the difficult British GP. Despite this, Verstappen expressed his dissatisfaction with the FIA at the Belgian GP.
“Quite difficult. On the intermediates, we made a choice with the set-up, and then they only allow us to drive in almost slick conditions. That’s a bit disappointing. Of course, we spoke out for Silverstone to be a little bit more cautious with the decisions, but this was the other extreme for me.”
The Red Bull driver particularly noted that the team had set the car up for a wet race. The delayed start meant that most of the running was in drying conditions.
“The choice that we made with the set-up of the car, it was then, of course, the wrong one because they didn’t allow us to race in the wet. Once we got to the dry tyres, we were just too slow on the straight. Then with the general balance problems that I already have with this car, it made everything just a bit worse.”
Asked to expand upon his criticism of the Race Director’s decisions, Verstappen shared his belief that the race should have started at the scheduled time, despite the rain.
“3 o’clock, straight away. It was not even raining! Between turns 1 and 5 there was quite a bit of water, but two or three laps behind the safety car, it would have been a lot more clear and the rest of the track was anyway ready to go.
It’s a bit of a shame. I knew that they would be a bit more cautious after Silverstone, but this didn’t make sense. Then it’s better to say, ‘You know what, let’s wait until it’s completely dry.’ Then we just start on slicks, because this is not really wet weather racing for me.”
No more wet weather racing?
Speaking further on which conditions should bring out red flags, Verstappen was asked whether fatal incidents at Spa over recent years may have had an impact on the stewards’ decisions.
“Potentially. Of course, at the end of the day, they do what they want, right? They decide. But I just find it is a bit of a shame for everyone.”
Verstappen then explained how if this conservative approach continues, Formula 1 will no longer have any wet racing.
“You will never see these classic kind of wet races anymore, which I think they still can happen. I think also the rain that fell afterwards was still manageable if we would have kept lapping anyway. You make all the decisions based on wet racing, so that also just ruins your whole race a bit.”
The Dutch driver then spoken on his perspective of the conditions during the initial formation lap. He shared that the conditions were only hazardous in certain parts of the track. He believed that the start should not have been suspended as conditions would have improved had more laps been completed under the safety car.
“Between (turns) 1 and 5, it was, but only for a few laps. The more you run, it will be much better. If you can’t see, you can always lift. And at one point you will see.”
Better result forecasted
Verstappen struggled in qualifying for the Belgian GP and lined up fourth on the grid. Despite Saturday’s result, the Dutch driver was expecting to be more competitive in the race, expecting a possibly podium finish.
Though unhappy with the race result, Verstappen expressed that such difficult races play a significant role in diagnosing the issues with the car.
“Realistically, P3 would have been the highest possible. We were very close to that, but at the same time, it also still highlighted our weaknesses with the car. That’s something that is not so easy to fix at the moment.”
Still improving the 2025 car despite focus on next year
Red Bull are experiencing a difficult period during the 2025 season, sitting only fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Some teams have already started to prioritise the development of their 2026 new regulations cars. Verstappen was asked about Red Bull’s strategy for car development. The Dutch driver explained that the team are still focusing on this season’s car as all learning will have value in the future.
“No, I think it’s still important also this year to learn certain things, because they will also have an effect on next year. Because the cars will be completely different, so there’s things that we can work on, and take also to next year.
“Of course, engineering and everything, the car design of course is underway for next year, but we can still learn a lot also this year.”
