F1's Wet-Weather Safety Revolution: Introducing New Mudguards
Jul.7 - Formula 1 is set to trial new wet-weather mudguards in a bid to eliminate the kind of visibility problems that led to the death of open-wheeler junior Dilano van 't Hoff at Spa-Francorchamps.
The test will take place as part of the post-British GP tyre test at Silverstone next week, with McLaren and Mercedes taking part.
"I think if they work, I will definitely like to see them put in," said Red Bull driver Sergio Perez ahead of the British GP.
"It might allow us to race in more dangerous conditions, especially with what happened last weekend."
One of the most outspoken drivers about the situation at Spa was Lance Stroll, who said a solution like the mudguards should be implemented "as quickly as possible".
"And if it doesn't work, we shouldn't be putting ourselves in situations where we're racing in conditions where we can't see," the Aston Martin driver added.
Lando Norris agrees: "I'd say it's about time that we're going to do something. I think as drivers we've said it for years that something needs to be done."
Perez, however, pointed out that the mudguards could actually be "quite penalising" in terms of downforce.
FIA technical boss Nikolas Tombazis, a renowned F1 designer, said the idea is that the solution would only be implemented when rainfall is extreme.
"We think it will be something that you only use a couple of times a year," he is quoted by the Spanish newspaper Marca.
"We don't want it to be that every time there's a drop of rain, all of a sudden you have to fit these things together."
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Cool. Will they have bodacious lady outlines on them like on hiway trucks mudflaps???
LOL! Love it!
Thin end of the wedge
What's next?
Wipers, stereo, satnav, a/C
Same conditions for all
Just drive
Who dares wins
Next will be ash trays for the smokers, followed by air conditioned seats and heated steering wheels.
thats bull
Racing in the rain isn't racing, its just an added level of danger and an increased potential for a tragic outcome. In no way does rain add to the excitement of the race. I love racing but I don't wish to see accidents or fatalities during the race, what I want to see is close hard racing near the limit of a car and drivers ability, and that's not what you get in the rain. Id like to see the drivers all band together and just say.... No! were not racing in the rain anymore! There's not a real racing fan anywhere who wants to see any driver killed during a race. If the race must go on in the rain then I'm all for some kind of safety device to cut down on the spray from the cars but I still think racing in the rain should be done with in F1.
good move we all know how dangerous it is driving the motorway in the rain. even at 75 mph.it may slow down pit stop but im sure red bull will still be the quickest pit crew
Stop it guys , the mudguards were my idea, The Fia gave me a Million $$$ to bring an idea, So i just unscrewed some of a lorry on the M6 and bingo , A cool Mill for me, They are so gullible the Fia gravy train