The science F1 must defy to prevent Spa shambles repeat
In one of the most exciting, closely contested F1 seasons for years, the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix stood out as an ugly exception. Pat Symonds explains what is being done to avoid wet weather wreaking similar disruption in the future.
As we look back at what was an extremely exciting 2021 Formula 1 season involving the closest inter-team competition that we have seen for many years, several events will stand out. Most of these will be positive as even the circuits that normally struggle to produce good racing seemed to throw off the mantle of dullness. Unfortunately, the one negative that will be discussed for some time to come is the events that occurred at Spa.
The circuit is renowned for wet weather, with prevailing westerly winds picking up moisture as they transit the sea and then meeting the hills of the Ardennes, causing them to drop that moisture as rain. We have raced at Spa for years and always dealt with it, but last year the sheer intensity caused the race to be effectively abandoned.
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