Tyres are a talking point of every race weekend, but the Belgian GP is set to be different. F1 tyre provider Pirelli is planning an experiment by bringing a variety of compounds to Spa.
Normally, Pirelli brings compounds that are always just one step up from each other. However, this weekend, they plan to make the soft tyre the C4, the medium tyre the C3, and the hard tyre the C1. However, their experiment could be derailed by the wet weather predicted for the race weekend.
Rain could disrupt Pirelli’s experiment at the Belgian GP
Pirelli also tried to run this experiment at the Miami GP, but the race weekend was affected by rain. It looks as if the weather is going to play a part in Belgium to scupper Pirelli’s test again. This means the tyre manufacturer will have to find yet another venue if the rain arrives at Spa.
Spa’s high-speed layout was seen as a perfect track to run the experiment, with the added inclusion of the sprint weekend. This would give teams a headache with the ‘step’ gap, and create interesting strategies during the main race.
For the #BelgianGP, Pirelli has chosen three dry weather compounds that are not consecutive: the Hard is the hardest in the 2025 range, the C1, but then there’s a jump to the Medium (C3) and the Soft (C4). Read more here 👉https://t.co/TkoZ3Iw7X3 #F1 pic.twitter.com/8DvlGwAUHr
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) July 21, 2025
Earlier this year, Pirelli Motorsport manager Mario Isola, explained the experiment. He said: “They [teams] always find a way to apply a strategy on one stop.
“It’s not that we’re trying to push them to have a two-stop strategy because it’s better, it’s more action, more unpredictability, and better races – but with the three compounds that are so close, they always try to use the hard and the medium to move to a one-stop.”
Pirelli are trying to manufacture more unpredictability in races. Changing the compounds when tyres are so important in F1. However, if the weather scuppers the plan again, they are running out of time to do so.
How will wet weather affect the Belgian GP?
Belgium is used to hosting races in the wet. The latest to be affected by the rain was the 2023 race weekend, when the weather hit during the sprint race, won by Max Verstappen. The rain eased off, forcing the drivers to switch to dry tyres.
The most notable race was the 2021 season, when we got only two laps of the race completed, both under the safety car. Again, Max Verstappen was handed the win, while George Russell got his first podium of his career.
Rain is an equaliser for the cars, meaning it is more about the driver’s skill over mechanical grip. Russell was able to put his Williams on the front row, meaning he finished the ‘race’ in second place.
Belgian GP Set for Wild Sprint Weekend With Heavy Rain Forecast at Treacherous Spa
Many teams up and down the grid will be hoping for rain. Last time out in Silverstone, Nico Hulkenberg was able to surprise the paddock and get his Sauber into the top 3. However, it can be dangerous around this classic track. Lando Norris had a massive shunt in wet conditions while qualifying for the 2021 race. The high-speed nature of the circuit makes this track dangerous in wet conditions.
Event organisers have made changes to the circuit to help with drainage. The track elevation means that the water gets trapped at the lowest part of the track. This makes aquaplaning possible and becomes a hazard to drivers. The hope is that if it rains, it is not during sessions, and if it is, the rain is light.
