Max Verstappen offers a grim solution to fix the wet race visibility problem in Spa

The weather forecast for this weekend's race at Spa indicates a wet race, raising safety concerns.

Max Verstappen on a wet track with spray behind him (Credits: theScore.com)

The Spa Francorchamps circuit has been a topic of concern recently due to safety issues and poor visibility during wet races. Tragically, Dutch driver Dilano Van’t Hoff lost his life in a crash caused by limited visibility on the track. With another rainy race on the horizon, Max Verstappen has a simple answer for the visibility issues that may develop.

According to Max Verstappen, the current visibility issues are not new; they have persisted for a long time. He believes that finding a quick fix is challenging, saying, “It’s bad, but it has been bad for a very long time. So, I don’t think there is a lot at the moment that we can do about it.”

Two years ago, heavy rains hit the Spa Francorchamps circuit, causing a shortened race of three laps behind the safety car. Verstappen acknowledges that if the visibility doesn’t improve, rain races might have to undergo complete discontinuation. He explains that drivers need to adapt to the visibility woes, “Otherwise, we cannot have any rain races anymore,” he told the media at Spa.

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The FIA is actively attempting to enhance visibility, with plans to introduce tire end plates that reduce spray. When the track is wet, the current generation cars’ aerodynamics actively make them spew more water behind them. Verstappen points out that the current regulations, including the bigger 18-inch tires and the size of the cars, exacerbate visibility problems. “We went to the bigger tyres, which makes it worse because there’s more displacement,” he noted.

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Max Verstappen trusts the F1 race director Niels Wittich to make the correct decision

Recalling a past incident during the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen provided insight into the challenges drivers face in wet races. He recounted his inability to see Fernando Alonso spinning off the due to the poor visibility caused by heavy rain and spray. Speaking about it, the Dutchman stated that “You just keep it pinned, but if there had been a car standing [still] I would have gone completely through it.”

Putting faith in the F1 race director, the defending champion expresses his confidence in Niels Wittich’s ability to make informed decisions regarding safety during wet races. “We’ve spent a lot of time in briefings, and I think from his side, he’s done quite a few races now,” Max said about Wittich.

Max Verstappen says he wants to further widen the gap between him and his competitors.

"I like solo racing."

"Personally I'd rather have a bigger gap with the competition. I don't mind racing, but I've done it often enough in my career and I don't necessarily always have to."… pic.twitter.com/9iZfWjtV3W
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 27, 2023

Despite efforts to enhance safety, Max Verstappen believes that finding a foolproof solution to eliminate all safety risks may be impractical. Racing at various tracks presents challenges, and accidents can occur under different conditions. While acknowledging the importance of addressing safety concerns, Max also recognizes the unpredictable and unfortunate nature of such incidents at specific circuits.