Poll: Belgian Grand Prix 2021, Spa-Francorchamps - Race 12

[Psycho Ned]

Michael Masi confirms to Mercedes that the three-hour race time window started at 14:00 BST, so it would be a timed race, which finishes at 17:00 BST

But they're not confirming anything on screen to the viewers. All we're getting is team bosses on the radio to the race director and him going 'er I think so'

 

[JRS]

Fancy driving at 180mph+ without knowing what's in front of you?

I empathise.

And yet...

F1 drivers used to be able to drive in these kinds of conditions. So which is it? Are the drivers crap, or the cars crap?

***edit***

F1 blocking the embed I expect. Barcelona '96 anyway - spray, standing water, minimal visibility and Michael Schumacher dealing with a Ferrari F310 trying to self-destruct. Also see Brazilian GP the same year, with rivers across the track and Hill engaging in a masterclass.

 

[Kenai]

Monday race?

If they've already started the timers, not sure they could now postpone it?

 

[bayo000]

But they're not confirming anything on screen to the viewers. All we're getting is team bosses on the radio to the race director and him going 'er I think so'

They're probably too busy updating the teams so viewers come second. Which make sense.

 

[englishpremier]

What is with the 4 laps knock off due a delayed start. Never seen or heard that before.

Doesn't really matter with the time limit.

 

[Superpatsy]

Why would any driver want to risk spinning out and embarrassing themselves when they have the choice to wait for it to dry?

Lando and LeClerc are part of the problem as well, most Tesco workers probably have more experience driving in the wet due to their age and experience.

Driving to work in an Astra when it's raining isn't quite the same as tearing around an F1 circuit going full tilt...

 

[MooMoo444]

Just send 'em out there. Best drivers in the world, sort the men from the boys

 

[adam cool dude]

I empathise.

And yet...

F1 drivers used to be able to drive in these kinds of conditions. So which is it? Are the drivers crap, or the cars crap?

Imagine F1 drivers being asked to do this. Skip to 1:30

 

[Flibster]

They're probably too busy updating the teams so viewers come second. Which make sense.

But the teams don't even know how many laps remain...

 

[Kenai]

They're probably too busy updating the teams figuring out the mess they've made, so viewers come second. Which make sense.

 

[englishpremier]

If the 3 hours starts when the race should have started what is the point of the 5 hour limit.

I thought they had 5 hours introduced after that Canadian GP the went on for hours.

EDIT 4 hours introduced after Canada in 2011

 

[Merlin5]

Probably end up with about a 3 lap race, max will win and the whole grand prix will have been a waste of time.

 

[Kenai]

If the 3 hours starts when the race should have started what is the point of the 5 hour limit.

I thought they had 5 hours introduced after that Canadian GP the went on for hours.

The 3 hour limit is the 5 hour limit I think you're referring to.

The race itself has 2 hours to be completed within an overall 3 hours I think.

 

[Kautya]

Just send 'em out there. Best drivers in the world, sort the men from the boys

Would be more likely the boys taking the men out lol.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

God imagine being a spectator to this….I hope they get refunds at least

 

[Flibster]

If the 3 hours starts when the race should have started what is the point of the 5 hour limit.

I thought they had 5 hours introduced after that Canadian GP the went on for hours.

They reduced it from 4 to 3 hours from race start time. Think that happened this year as they were planning more later afternoon races.

 

[bayo000]

That as well

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I honestly find the opinions of the armchair daredevils here astounding.

Comparing this weekend to 96, 2 years after we lost two drivers in one weekend, when we are racing in Belgium when there have been two bad crashes at the same corner in similar conditions. The very same corner where a very talented young driver died two years ago.

The world changes, and so does the appetite for risk. F1 cannot be seen to send drivers recklessly out to their death. Yes racing is dangerous, but I value the opinion of the drivers, officials and people who live in the sport about where that line lies.

Claiming it's down to drivers being "wet" or the sport being soft is ridiculous.

 

[englishpremier]

They reduced it from 4 to 3 hours from race start time. Think that happened this year as they were planning more later afternoon races.

Right yes, 4 hours. Didn't realised they reduced it further.

Earlier in the thread I mentioned about the late start times. Doesn't help in these situations.

 

[mmj_uk]

Only F1 with its dumb over the top legalism and zero common sense could claim that a race has started after 2 laps following behind a safety car and then pulling into the pits.