Pierre Gasly has called for changes to improve visibility in wet conditions in Formula 1, citing it as the “biggest” safety concern. His comments come in the wake of the tragic crash at Spa-Francorchamps that resulted in the death of Dutch racer Dilano van ‘t Hoff.
Gasly, who was childhood friends with late Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert, expressed his distress over the passing of Hubert and emphasized the need for safety improvements. He believes that the lack of visibility in heavy wet conditions is a significant issue, preventing drivers from seeing clearly due to the spray thrown up by modern F1 cars and tires.
In response to a solution being evaluated by Mercedes, which involves testing a “mudguard” device to reduce spray, Gasly expressed his support for any measures that can enhance visibility in the rain. He recalled a similar situation in 2012 in Formula Renault 2.0, where poor visibility posed a significant safety risk.
Gasly agrees that visibility in wet conditions is the most pressing safety concern in Formula 1 and its junior categories. He stressed the importance of addressing this issue to prevent further tragic outcomes. While accepting the inherent risks of the sport, Gasly emphasized that drivers should not be placed in conditions where visibility is compromised, particularly when young talents are trying to establish themselves in Formula 1.
When asked about potential changes to the layout of Spa-Francorchamps following the fatal crash, Gasly admitted that he had chosen not to watch the footage to avoid reliving the emotions associated with Hubert’s passing. Consequently, he refrained from providing specific comments on necessary modifications. However, he believes that visibility is a priority and should be thoroughly reviewed. Gasly does not believe the issue is track-specific but acknowledged that there are experts better equipped to determine the appropriate measures to prevent further accidents and ensure driver safety.
