Max Verstappen SLAMS FIA Wet Race Decisions at Belgian GP
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – Max Verstappen has once again made headlines for his strong views, this time regarding the FIA’s decisions during the wet conditions at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. After dominating the race and securing his 10th win in a row, the Red Bull Racing driver expressed frustration at how the governing body handled the unpredictable and challenging weather conditions at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The weekend in Belgium had already been marked by a sense of unease, with unpredictable rain showers affecting both practice and qualifying sessions. However, it was on race day that the weather truly became a talking point. Heavy rainfall just before the start of the race made track conditions treacherous, leading to a delay in the race start. The FIA, in consultation with team representatives and weather experts, initially decided to start the race behind the Safety Car, an unusual but necessary move given the wet conditions.
A Rocky Start to the Race Weekend
From the outset, Verstappen had reservations about the handling of the conditions. “The whole weekend was a mess with the rain,” he said during a post-race interview. “The FIA didn’t seem to know what to do, and the situation kept changing every few minutes. There’s no consistency. One minute we were told the conditions were fine, then suddenly it was a red flag, then a Safety Car, and we were all left confused.”
The race was scheduled to start at 3:00 PM local time, but due to heavy rain, the FIA delayed the start for almost 45 minutes. The drivers were forced to sit in their cars, awaiting instructions. By the time the Safety Car finally rolled out, the rain had subsided but the track remained wet in many areas, especially the more tricky corners of Eau-Rouge and La Source.
Verstappen, known for his fierce competitive spirit and his dislike of any disruption to the flow of a race, was vocal about the handling of the situation. “The FIA has been making these decisions without any clear understanding of the drivers’ safety or the state of the track. The rain was coming and going, but we were left with no clarity. We need consistency.”
Verstappen’s Frustration Grows
When the race did eventually get underway, the wet conditions led to several spinouts and accidents in the early laps. Yet, Verstappen made his way to the front with his trademark precision. However, his victory was marred by ongoing complaints about the FIA’s decisions. The first Safety Car period came just after the first few laps when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was involved in a high-speed spin at Les Combes, narrowly avoiding the barriers.
The FIA’s decision to deploy the Safety Car was again questioned by Verstappen. “It was clear that the conditions weren’t perfect, but they weren’t that bad either. There were a few mistakes, but it wasn’t catastrophic. The problem is the FIA made these decisions based on fear rather than real judgment.”
Verstappen’s criticisms didn’t stop there. He also took issue with the manner in which the FIA handled the track conditions during the race. Despite the race being run behind the Safety Car for the opening laps, conditions improved quickly, and many drivers, including Verstappen, were ready to switch to dry tires.
But the FIA took an unusually long time to make the call to allow drivers to pit for dry tires, leading to an extended period where teams and drivers were left in the dark, unsure about what was the right call.
“Honestly, I feel like they [FIA] just panicked. The rain stopped, and the track was drying, but they weren’t giving us the green light to make a switch. It’s the drivers and the teams who understand the conditions better, and we were left waiting, unable to make the right calls at the right time.”
Red Bull’s Strategic Advantage and the FIA’s Role
As Verstappen pushed ahead, Red Bull’s strategic decisions were in stark contrast to many other teams who struggled with tire choices and track conditions. Verstappen’s engineer called for a pit stop when the dry line started forming, but many other teams were hesitant. As a result, Verstappen found himself with a significant advantage, gaining positions while others remained in the pit lane longer than necessary.
Max’s dominance continued despite the challenges, but he made sure to underline his frustration with how the race was managed. “In the end, we had a good strategy, and we made the right calls,” he reflected after the race. “But it didn’t have to be like this. The FIA should have done more to give us a clearer picture.”
One of the key moments Verstappen cited was the FIA’s delayed decision to allow intermediate tires after the rain returned later in the race. “The rain came back, and we were caught out. The team gave me the right instructions, but we had to wait too long before we got confirmation of what to do. It’s too much guesswork in a race where you have to be 100% focused.”
FIA Responds to Verstappen’s Criticism
The FIA’s race director, Eduardo Freitas, responded to Verstappen’s comments in the post-race press conference, defending the decisions made during the race. “We had to err on the side of caution to ensure the safety of the drivers. The conditions were changing rapidly, and we had to take into account all the variables, including visibility and track conditions, before making any call.”
Freitas added that the FIA’s priority was to ensure safety, though he acknowledged that the teams and drivers are sometimes better equipped to understand the evolving track conditions. “We must work in collaboration with teams and drivers to improve the decision-making process,” he said.
Despite this response, Verstappen’s comments seem to resonate with many fans and pundits who believe the FIA’s decision-making process needs to be more agile, especially in unpredictable weather conditions. It has become evident that Verstappen’s frustrations with the governing body are far from over.
Looking Ahead
As Verstappen celebrates his impressive win, which strengthens his position at the top of the World Drivers’ Championship, the issue of wet-weather race management will continue to dominate discussions. The Belgian Grand Prix showed once again the fine line the FIA must walk when making critical decisions in challenging conditions. However, Verstappen’s comments serve as a reminder that, for many drivers, the current state of play isn’t enough, and a more streamlined, consistent approach could better serve both safety and the spectacle of Formula 1.
Only time will tell whether the FIA will heed Verstappen’s words, but the issue of wet-race decisions is one that will continue to spark debate throughout the remainder of the 2025 season.
