Racing in rain and spray is now System One’s largest security concern and a trial of a mudguard-style machine subsequent week needs to be fast-tracked onto the vehicles if it really works, drivers mentioned on Thursday.
The trial, at Silverstone, has been within the planning since final 12 months however has acquired higher significance because the loss of life final weekend of Dutch 18-year-old Dilano van’t Hoff in a moist junior sequence race at Spa-Francorchamps.
McLaren and Mercedes will probably be offering the check vehicles, one with and one with out the modification.
“It is an enormous security concern in the meanwhile and it must be addressed. We won’t see something in heavy moist climate,” Aston Martin’s Canadian Lance Stroll instructed reporters on the British Grand Prix.
“I can recall many races over the previous few years in System One the place you simply can’t see something if you find yourself behind a automotive and it is extraordinarily harmful … we should not be racing in these situations.
“If it really works, it (the mudguard) needs to be placed on the vehicles as shortly as potential. And if it does not work, we should not be placing ourselves in conditions the place we’re racing in situations the place we will not see.”
McLaren’s Lando Norris mentioned the problem was “the most important security concern on the minute inside System One” and it was about time to do one thing.
“It is a disgrace we needed to see such a consequence for individuals to grasp what can occur. I believe it is one thing that must be accomplished.
“Truly seeing the place we’re going, that helps generally,” he mentioned sarcastically.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen agreed and mentioned drivers may as nicely shut their eyes in some situations.
“There’s zero visibility and it will be nice if that could possibly be improved considerably,” mentioned the Dane.
Purple Bull’s Sergio Perez mentioned the machine could possibly be a giant step ahead.
“Particularly what has occurred final weekend, I believe it is one thing that we have to enhance,” he mentioned.
“For now, I believe it is vital that race administrators allow us to race solely when its protected and the entire grid is ready to see one thing.”