The Spa-Francorchamps paddock was abuzz with talks of rain and potential cancellation as the Belgian GP weekend commenced.
Rainfall had already been substantial on Thursday, leading Pierre Gasly to lead a solemn procession around the circuit in honor of recent race driver fatalities at the treacherous Eau Rouge.
Contrary to speculation after the recent death of an 18-year-old junior category driver, no slow chicane was introduced to the section.
Presently, the prevailing rumor suggests that both the FIA and the race director will not hesitate to call off sessions if the weather takes a severe turn.
“If it’s cancelled, it’s cancelled, and we’ll handle it,” said Haas driver Kevin Magnussen.
Valtteri Bottas added his perspective, “Obviously visibility is the big one here if it’s raining, but that’s when someone else needs to be responsible for the drivers. Can they start the race or not?”
And Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said, “Safety comes first, and us drivers shouldn’t complain if we don’t get any laps if it is not safe to do so, with everything that has happened.”
Pushing on the extra caution for this weekend is the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, whose director George Russell urged the FIA to “be bold” if conditions become unsafe.
“Everybody wants to race, but when you’re going down that straight at 200mph and you can’t see 50 meters in front of you, there will be huge incidents,” said the Mercedes driver.
“They’ve got a big responsibility this weekend.”
As for the future of a circuit that has become increasingly under the safety microscope, Russell added, “We don’t want to lose Spa, but under certain circumstances, we can’t do anything else (but cancel).
“Since the accident in Formula Regional, we have been in constant contact with the FIA to discuss what we can do better.”
Nico Hulkenberg says the drivers also have a responsibility this weekend to communicate directly with race director Niels Wittich on the radio.
“He hears our comments,” said the Haas driver. “If 50 percent of us are saying it’s too dangerous, he’ll respect that.
“He knows we’re the best judges.”
Fernando Alonso, F1’s most experienced driver, said he can imagine a situation this weekend when the rain and spray will “prevent us from driving”.
“What has happened here is still too recent,” the Spaniard added. “We’ll always be happy to drive as much as we can, as long as visibility allows it.”
World champion Max Verstappen admits that with the large ground effect cars and bigger tires, the situation at Spa is “even worse” than it was five or six years ago.
“But we also race in Monaco and Jeddah, and I think it’s much more dangerous there,” said the Dutchman.
“Unfortunately, accidents are unavoidable in this sport.”
As for the exit of Eau Rouge in particular, the Red Bull driver said the problem is that cars tend to bounce back onto the circuit after a big crash.
“The situation isn’t good,” said Verstappen, “but it has been like that for a long time and I don’t think there’s much we can change.”
