Maybe it is time for F1 to stop the race in the rain

Joe Portlock – Formula 1Getty Images

Former Formula 1 racing driver and 10-time winner Gerhard Berger says it may be time for F1 to decide whether to drive in the rain or not.

This discussion heats up after FIA Race Director Michael Masi and F1 decided that two laps behind the safety car are good enough to be considered an official race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium last weekend. There Max Verstappen was awarded the victory without having to drive a green lap.

“If you see the podium photos with their trophies in the newspaper, that’s actually not true,” said the former Ferrari and McLaren driver and current DTM series boss to European Servus TV. “The situation was difficult, I understand that, but I think you have to decide whether we will race in the rain or not.

“Americans once said in NASCAR sport that they just don’t drive in the rain.”

From his point of view, Berger sees nothing wrong with the fact that Formula 1 continues to move forward with wet races.

“You know where it is dangerous and where there is aquaplaning,” said the 62-year-old Berger, who last drove in Formula 1 in 1997. “In my entire career there has only been one race that was really critical. But we said, ‘Okay, it’s difficult, but let’s go!’ “

Regarding the continuous rain on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps, Berger admits that it was “dangerous”, but “I think it was possible to drive”.

“We also have good run-off zones,” said the Berger. “If the water runs out, it is possible. All you have to do is take your foot off the gas.”

Berger is on the side of those who think Sunday was essentially a failure of the Formula 1 leadership.

“The lead was very strong in our time,” said Berger. “Bernie Ecclestone made his decision and he was very, very clear. I remember when he started the race in Adelaide (1991).”

However, that does not mean that Berger criticizes F1 race director Masi.

“He’s doing a good job,” said Berger. “These cases also deal with much larger insurance issues and much more. But fans who sit in the rain for ten hours and get nothing to see – that can’t be.

“It’s always easier to talk the next day, but sorry – my opinion is that if there are wet races in Formula 1, then there are also wet races in Formula 1.”

This content is created and maintained by a third party and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may find more information on this and similar content at piano.io