From a spectator’s perspective, it appears that F1 as a sport is not optimized for rainy conditions. The drivers get soaked in the rain while making their way on a slippery track, and the visibility is very poor. Despite all that, Formula 1 still races in the rain.
The upcoming weekend’s Belgian GP or Spa has created a lot of buzz recently by being in the news due to its current weather conditions. Also, drivers like Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Fernando Alonso are against racing on the track if the rain and the lack of visibility persist.
Does F1 continue to race in rain?
F1 has always been a sport with a lot of risks, be it high speeds, tight corners, winds, rain, or even snow. F1 has been set back due to some accidents too. But Formula 1 in recent times has equipped itself with enough to tackle the weather conditions, even though it wouldn’t seem like it to a viewer sitting at home. Cars with no windscreen, torque-heavy super-powerful engines, and poorly lasting tires sure seem impossible to race or even drive in wet conditions.
However, the official F1 tyre manufacturer Pirelli makes special wet-weather tires with treads that can move enough water to enable racing in the rain. And furthermore, Formula 1 has the tools and technology to allow drivers to race in the rain; the racing never stops as the aerodynamics are not affected either. This is why Formula 1 is able to race in the rain.
F1 drivers urge FIA to prioritize safety, demand Backups plans for Belgian GP amid weather concern
Belgium has been shifted from the first post-summer race of the season to the final pre-summer competition as part of a calendar change for 2023. At Spa, Thursday came with heavy, persistent rain and mist. Even though it’s July, it feels like mid-fall, which is not unusual for the area. The third F1 Sprint race of the season will take place this weekend, and it’s not looking any dry on Saturday either. However, fortunately, the weather is expected to get better on Sunday with fewer chances of rain.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said this in an interview about the current situation at Spa, “Safety needs to be the priority.” “First of all, us drivers, we shouldn’t complain if we don’t have any laps if it’s not safe to do so, with everything that has happened in the past.” Charles is referring to a heartbreaking incident that occurred back in 2019 when F2 driver Anthoine Hubert died following a multi-car crash at the Spa-Francorchamps track. Coincidentally this happened a day before Charles won his first F1 race.
According to Sky Sports, Mercedes driver George Russell also had similar thoughts, he said, “If you put a ranking of risk of all of the circuits, Spa is one of the riskiest,” he said. “Then when you have the combination of the weather it is very challenging. It is the visibility, we have no visibility whatsoever. For perspective it’s like driving down the motorway in pouring rain and turning your windscreen wipers off, that’s how it feels.”
The race once was canceled in 2021 too. It was the shortest in the history of Formula 1, lasting three laps due to heavy rain behind the safety car. Do you think this weekend’s race should be canceled too? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
