F1 in the rain: drivers propose ways to improve safety
As Formula 1 returns from the summer break for the Dutch Grand Prix, unpredictable weather and possible thunderstorms are forecast over the three days of on-track action. This raises the familiar question: how can F1 races be conducted safely in wet conditions? Drivers are suggesting multiple solutions, all aimed at reducing the water spray generated by the cars and improving visibility. Proposed ideas range from reducing car dimensions to adapting track surfaces for better water drainage, but the solution is far from simple.
The core problem: spray from the diffuser
At the heart of the issue is the enormous cloud of water thrown up by the cars, which severely limits visibility for drivers behind. This problem has grown more serious in recent years with ground-effect cars, whose aerodynamics amplify spray and make conditions even more challenging. Williams driver Alex Albon explained: “I think it’s the drivers who speak up the most when it comes to not wanting to drive. We are the ones saying when it’s time to restart and when it’s right to stop. But at the moment, extreme wet tires and track conditions don’t match. The tracks are too wet. It’s not that the tires aren’t good enough, it’s that we can’t see anything.”
He added, “A good example was Isack Hadjar and Kimi Antonelli at Silverstone. Driving at 250 km/h and not seeing 20 meters ahead is terrifying. The FIA listens, but it’s complicated. The tires are fine, and on a clear track with full wets there would be no problem, but these cars generate so much spray.”
Even junior categories face similar challenges
Young drivers entering F1 quickly notice that visibility issues start in feeder series, once cars begin using diffusers that create water clouds. Oliver Bearman, in his rookie F1 season, noted that even in F4, diffusers already make it difficult to see in wet conditions. “The point is the size of the cars,” he said, “and the bigger, more advanced diffusers increase the amount of water expelled, creating larger spray clouds. Nowadays, the spray can cover the entire track, and sometimes I go down a straight and literally see nothing. It’s scary.”
Tires and track surfaces
While 2026 cars will see changes to the diffuser, returning to a flatter design and higher ride height, and slightly narrower tires for weight saving, drivers are not certain this will drastically reduce spray. Experiments with spray-deflecting devices have largely failed because the main source of spray is the car’s floor, impossible to shield without heavily affecting aerodynamics. Tires must evacuate water effectively to prevent aquaplaning.
One solution drivers propose is redesigning track surfaces with grooves or improved drainage, as seen at Interlagos. Fernando Alonso explained, “We all want to race, but in a group you see nothing. We’ve had too many serious incidents due to poor visibility, especially at Spa.” Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman also emphasized the need for innovation in track asphalt to reduce spray. Simone Berra from Pirelli added that while current drainage at tracks like Spa and Interlagos helps, it’s not enough, and additional measures could further reduce standing water without causing excessive tire overheating.
The challenge ahead
Ultimately, improving wet-weather racing in Formula 1 is a multifaceted challenge involving car design, tire technology, and track engineering. While modern wet tires are effective and drainage systems help, the combination of faster, wider ground-effect cars and highly powerful diffusers continues to make spray a critical safety concern. Drivers and teams alike hope that ongoing developments in the 2026 regulations, along with smarter track surfaces, can make racing in the rain safer and more predictable in the seasons to come.
Leave a Reply