A technical directive was introduced at this round to limit the amount of porpoising and bottoming out, following safety and legal concerns in the first half of the season.

The FIA's proposal was for a specific addition to Article 3.15.8 of the technical regulations, addressing the flexibility of the plank underneath a car.

[5] The changes were initially proposed to come into force at the French Grand Prix in July, before being pushed back in order to give teams enough time to comply with the directive.

[10] Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner urged Formula One to "ringfence" classic venues such as Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone and Monza to prevent them dropping off the calendar.

[12] In response to this, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali stated there was still a chance that the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps could be included on the 2023 calendar.

[18] In addition gravel traps were added to six corners on the circuit: La Source, Radillion, Blanchimont, Les Combes, Stavelot and Pouhon.

[21] Max Verstappen was the first driver to run a Formula One car around the renovated circuit in a Red Bull RB7 in the build-up to the event.

[30] Max Verstappen set the fastest time and Carlos Sainz Jr. inherited pole position as Verstappen was one of eight drivers (the others being Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas) required to take penalties for exceeding engine component limits.

During the safety car period Leclerc came into the pits in order to remove a visor tear-off from his right front brake duct.

Once the race resumed Verstappen easily worked his way up the field, taking the lead by lap 12, relinquishing it only briefly after his first pit stop.