1 That's not a race, that's a procession. Why did they even bother starting the race if, you know, racing was impossible?

2 Oddly enough, it makes sense.  Full wet tires on a F1 car act like water pumps... the number bandied about is that they move 100 gallons/minute per tire, what with all the downforce and grip a F1 car can generate... and when you've got 20 cars driving around behind the safety car, even at relatively low speed, they dry the track even though it was still raining.

Assuming it's not bucketing down, like it was in Malaysia.  But when it's coming down at a rate that'd have us running our windshield wipers at "setting 2" (constant, but not fast constant), it's amazing to watch the dry line form behind the F1 horde.

In short, driving behind the safety car for a few laps actually makes the track safer for the race.

There's also the logistics behind the television coverage (and the two hour time limit for each race) to consider, but that's a different column for a different day.

3 On the other hand, anyone who deviates from the dry line, for instance to pass, is instantly in the wet. But, I guess, that makes it more of a challenge, right?

4 Pete Z left a massive spoiler, which I have deleted.