The Silverstone test that could save driver lives and tracks from layout changes

OPINION: The Formula 1 grid were united in their response to Dilano van ‘t Hoff’s tragic death at Spa last weekend, which remained in their minds throughout the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. They want action as a result and this chimes with a welcome new safety plan already in development that should make wet weather racing safer

The accident that tragically claimed Dilano van ‘t Hoff’s life happened nearly 600 miles from the Red Bull Ring. But the Formula 1 drivers were united in their reaction last weekend.

They spoke eloquently and thoughtfully in the hours after the news of the Dutchman’s death had reached Austria from Spa. And many did so again following the grand prix won by Max Verstappen – an event preceded by a minute’s silence for van ‘t Hoff, with the F1 drivers wearing black armbands.

Any motorsport fatality is terrible and requires proper investigation and assessment. But, with F1 heading back to Spa in three weeks and the memories of Anthoine Hubert’s death there in 2019 still so fresh, that track is under a specific focus right now.

Regarding the circumstances of van ‘t Hoff’s death, the F1 drivers had three overarching reactions – all aimed at ensuring the same conversations aren’t required again, at least any time soon. Because motorsport always will be a risk. It’s about minimising that where possible. These suggestions cover three areas for further improvement that would benefit categories across motorsport: barrier placement, race control decision making in wet races and the visibility problem in those conditions.

“Consider for these tracks with very, very high speeds, to have the walls further away from the track,” suggested Charles Leclerc. “So, when they lose the car, they don’t bounce on the wall and come back on the track. They probably stop more to the left or more to the right, but at least they don’t bounce back on the track.”

Spa has taken steps to improve in this area with its run-off extension, barrier adjustments and gravel trap additions following Hubert’s 2019 death, which were also aimed at attracting additional motorcycling championships including MotoGP. But van ‘t Hoff’s crash occurred further down the course on the Kemmel Straight from where Hubert was killed, which suggests there is still work to do – amongst the tricky, elevated forest location of that section of Spa.

Verstappen sagely pointed out – from alongside Leclerc in the post-GP press conference in Austria – that the barrier positioning issue isn’t unique to Spa and that it can cause problems for drivers in other ways.

“[Eau Rouge and Raidillon are] for sure, quite dangerous corners, but…