Max Verstappen claims Monaco is ‘more dangerous’ than Spa despite the tragic death of Dilano van ‘t Hoff at the track

The Spa Francorchamps circuit has recently bore witness to a tragic accident of Dilano van 't Hoff lose his life.

Max Verstappen claims Monaco is ‘more dangerous’ than Spa despite the tragic death of Dilano van ‘t Hoff at the track

Max Verstappen and Dilano Van't Hoff (Credits: Planet F1)

Current world champion Max Verstappen has expressed his views on the safety of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in comparison to the Monaco Street circuit. With recent tragic incidents at Spa, concerns have arisen about the track’s suitability for racing. Despite the ill-fated accident, Max Verstappen believes that the Spa is not so dangerous compared to Monaco.

In a heart-wrenching incident during a Formula Regional European Championship race at Spa, 18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano van ‘t Hoff lost his life. The crash occurred on the Kemmel Straight in wet conditions with poor visibility, highlighting the safety risks associated with high-speed racing on this track. Drivers paid their respects at the Austrian GP before their weekend.

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Max Verstappen’s opinion on Spa’s safety raises eyebrows as he compares it to Monaco, known for its risky nature. Directly addressing the issue, Verstappen told the media at Spa, “I don’t think it is track related. There are dangerous corners, yes, and in the wet there are always more risks.” Despite acknowledging the danger, Verstappen pointed out that Monaco “is a lot more dangerous than here, but we race there because it is deemed safe enough.”

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Monaco has seen its share of dangerous accidents, but Verstappen believes it is relatively safe even in wet conditions. However, a similar forecast for damp weather at Spa during the upcoming sprint weekend has raised concerns about safety on this track, given the past incidents.

Discover: Pierre Gasly organizes a tribute run at Spa in honour of late racing prodigies Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van‘t Hoff

Max Verstappen believes that drivers are competent enough to make the right calls about the weather and safety

Max Verstappen driving on a wet Spa track in 2021
Max Verstappen driving on a wet Spa track in 2021 (Credits: CGTN)

The Eau Rouge Corner at Spa has been debated due to its safety risks. The fatal accident of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert in 2019 and Lando Norris‘s major shunt in 2021 have drawn attention to this section. While improvements have been made, concerns persist among drivers and fans alike.

Verstappen remarked, “There are always things that can be done better.” He emphasized that competent individuals are responsible for making the right calls, particularly concerning visibility during wet weather. The Dutchman said, “Everyone is competent enough to make the right calls. If it is too wet, it is too wet.”

Regarding the recent accident at Spa, Verstappen expresses sympathy for the unfortunate circumstances. He acknowledges the inherent risks in motorsport and the difficulty of making a track entirely safe. Despite the best efforts, accidents can happen, and some factors are beyond control, which was the case with the incidents at Spa.

Verstappen’s views on Monaco and Spa highlight the delicate balance between safety and excitement in Formula 1. He currently leads the standings by 110 points and has also won the race two years in a row and will be hoping to make it a hat trick this weekend. 

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