Heavy rain and poor visibility at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix have Formula 1 drivers worried about safety, especially in the wake of a recent fatal crash of a teenage driver at the same track. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium is known as one of the most challenging and dangerous tracks on the F1 calendar due to its high-speed layout and hilly terrain. The weather forecast for the Belgian GP weekend calls for rain throughout, raising concerns that drivers could have severely limited visibility – a major hazard at over 200 mph.
Several Incidents Highlight Spa’s Dangers
The dangers posed by Spa’s challenging layout and changeable weather have been highlighted by several serious incidents over the years. In 2019, Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert was killed in a high-speed crash during a race at the track. The crash also left Juan Manuel Correa with life-changing injuries. More recently, on July 1, 2022, 18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano van’t Hoff died after his car was hit by another at high speed in wet conditions during a Formula Regional European Championship race at Spa.
These incidents are weighing heavy on the minds of F1 drivers as they prepare for this weekend’s Belgian GP. Mercedes driver and Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell said “Following recent events, the FIA have to be bold with their decisions when it comes to safety, when it comes to visibility.” Russell explained that drivers have almost no visibility in heavy rain, saying “It’s like driving down the highway with your wipers off. That’s genuinely how it feels in the cockpit.”
Calls for Action from Drivers
Other drivers echoed Russell’s concerns and called for action. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc suggested modifying the walls on the long straight after Eau Rouge corner to give drivers more room if they lose control. However, he said the biggest issues are visibility and deciding when conditions are safe enough to race. “We are not exaggerating when we say we don’t see anything…we really don’t see anything when it’s raining,” Leclerc said. Pierre Gasly, who was close friends with Anthoine Hubert, said “Obviously, it needs to be in safe conditions, and I’m sure the FIA know how to put us in the safest conditions, especially here at Spa.”
The FIA’s Decisions Will be Crucial
All eyes will be on the FIA and race director Niels Wittich this weekend to see how they handle the tricky conditions at Spa. The FIA has not hesitated to postpone or cancel races in the past when conditions were deemed unsafe, including at the 2021 Belgian GP which was called off after just a few formation laps. Lewis Hamilton said “I trust in them as they have done such incredible work over the last couple of decades, I trust in them to make the right decisions moving forward.” But drivers are making it clear that safety must come first, even if it means not running any sessions or postponing the race. As Leclerc said, “Safety should come first and this needs to be the priority.”
Conclusion
In summary, heavy rain and poor visibility at the upcoming Belgian GP have Formula 1 drivers worried about safety, especially in the wake of a recent fatal crash of a teenage driver at the same track. The FIA and race director will have tough decisions to make regarding running sessions and the race in changeable conditions that drivers say severely limit their visibility. But drivers agree safety must come first, even if it means postponing or canceling part of the race weekend. The FIA will hope to avoid a repeat of the 2021 Belgian GP and find a balance that allows racing while managing the risks posed by Spa’s challenging layout and weather.
