Lando Norris’ crash on Saturday afternoon has intensified a debate that has been in the air for some time: The Eau Rouge loophole must be modified to avoid more serious consequences for the drivers.
Concern for the state of Eau Rouge It has been manifested in different categories in which serious accidents have occurred and, on the occasion of the presence of Formula 1 this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, the debate has intensified even more.
Already on Friday, Lewis Hamilton warned of the pothole that has been created in the middle of the curve, and the accident suffered by Lando norris It has generated the reaction of many of his colleagues on the grid, who consider that Q3 should not have started under these conditions and that that area of the track should be modified.
“I think it was a combination of pushing too hard and hydroplaning in the middle of Eau Rouge.”
“Everything was going extremely well from the first lap of Q1, the car, I felt confident in the car,” said Lando Norris after returning to the circuit from the hospital.
«I suppose it was difficult to go out in Q3, since even On the starting lap I said how wet I was and that I should stop (the session) or something like that, since I was suffering a lot aquaplaning“Recalled the McLaren driver.
«It is a difficult situation, how much do you want to push, how much not? I think it was a combination of pushing too hard and aquaplaning in the middle of Eau Rouge ».
Escape changes
The FIA is already working on a broader loophole that prevents cars from bouncing back onto the track, but Fernando Alonso believe that this will not prevent most accidents.
“With a different barrier, you will probably save some of the accidents, but it is still a high speed corner. It is the nature of the circuit and that is why it is special ».
“It is very difficult to keep up with the track conditions because it is a long lap with 20 cars running, so every turn you have a different feeling and a different track condition, ”stressed the Alpine rider.
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Carlos Sainz he does see the very positive change, because he believes that “it is very obvious that this curve has a fundamental problem which means that, when you crash, firstly, you crash very hard and secondly, you are bounced back to the circuit.”
“In these kinds of conditions, in the spray, it is an extremely dangerous situation. We, as pilots, have asked for changes. We have asked for it to be reviewed and we have been told that the FIA is already on it. So we are calmer about it, but this year is going to be complicated again, “he warns.
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Charles Leclerc he is of the same opinion and cannot help but recall the passing of Anthoine Hubert at that very point. «It was very frightening for me to see, as for everyone, this accident in the same place where I lost a friend two years ago. It was unbelievably good to see Lando get out of the car alone. “
“They know there is something there that needs to change, and the changes are planned for next year, I think, which is good to know. For this season, I just pray that nothing happens », aim.
The red flag
During the Q3 broadcast, Sebastian Vettel could be heard calling for the red flag on the radio, but the German driver was not the only one.
Daniel Ricciardo, companion of the injured Lando Norris, also thought that it would have been the most appropriate. “I was commenting on the conditions on the radio and I had aquaplanning in seventh gear. I basically said, “Oh ****!” And I think that was my way of saying it wasn’t safe! I guess I could have been more direct and say, ‘Guys, we have to point it out!’
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But it’s difficult because you don’t want to be the guy who says he doesn’t want to drive. But the truth is, conditions weren’t safe enough. But that’s Spa, you have these conditions, “admits the Australian from McLaren, who was also surprised by how quickly conditions changed minutes later. “I never thought that we would have ended the session with intermission. I have no idea how the track dried like that. It’s so unpredictable.
“I think (the loophole) is going to be expanded. It is not about changing the layout of the circuit, but about rolling back the barriers. Obviously it is an extremely fun and iconic corner, but when it goes wrong the accident is always big, ”he laments. “If it doesn’t change the shape, but only increases security, of course we agree with that”.
Max verstappen he coincides with his colleagues on the grid, warning of the danger of cars bouncing off the barriers onto the track.
“It is a very fast corner and when you pass it everything is fine, of course. But the problem is that with the barrier so close the car bounces back onto the track and you can hit another car, “he reiterates. Even if it happens a little later, you go over the ridge, it is also blind. As in the 24 Hours of Spa race with the GT3s, there was a huge accident.
«I think that with the changes that are being made it will be much better. Racing is never going to be completely safe. Everyone knows this, but there are some things that can be improved. I think it will be much better, “he says.
Hamilton, against
But who does not agree with modifying the track is Lewis hamilton, who is only concerned about the pothole that has been created in the asphalt. “I think they just have to get rid of the pothole and then leave Eau Rouge as is, in my opinion. I don’t think they need to spend the money.
«I love Eau Rouge as it is, the fact that the track contains the essence of that danger is good. I just hope the changes don’t take away that feeling. Because Eau Rouge is already thoroughly dry, easy. It is pleasant and complicated in the rain and that is why Eau Rouge is Eau Rouge ”, he says.
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Sebastian vettelOn the other hand, he considers that the origin of the problems is that the curve has been made too fast after softening the line and paving the way out years ago.
“These changes would have helped, but I think overall Eau Rouge is probably too easy. We can go much faster than we should in that place », says the German, who in Q3 on Saturday showed his anger at what happened.
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“Years ago it was much more delicate, so maybe we should go back to that. It’s always good to have more escape because it is a fast corner, but the question is, is it too fast? “
«In the dry it is not a curve for us, but if something goes wrong, it goes terribly wrong. And in the wet it’s like an elevator, so it’s probably too fast, ”reiterates the Aston Martin driver.
Pierre GaslyA close friend of Anthoine Hubert, who died two years ago at the same point, considers that “we have already seen too many accidents. I’m not a fan of changing circuits. I like that they are still old school. But I think that, at that particular point, seeing what has happened in the past, it is clearly necessary, “he concluded.