F1 News

After Silverstone GP, Mercedes and McLaren will test new wheel arches

After Silverstone GP, Mercedes and McLaren will test new wheel arches

05-07-2023 12:03 Last update: 12:21
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Sam Godber

Rain racing in motorsport is, after the fatal accident at Spa-Francorchamps where Dutch talent Dilano van 't Hoff lost his life, again under discussion. Visibility from the car in conditions with heavy rainfall is extremely poor, which is incredibly dangerous and  can unfortunately have fatal consequences. After the Grand Prix weekend, Mercedes and McLaren will test a possible solution to improve visibility, reports the FIA.

Mercedes and McLaren test solution

Things almost went wrong in last year's F1 rain race at Suzuka too. Carlos Sainz lost control of his Ferrari, crashed into the wall, and then got back on track. Fortunately for the whole motorsport world, the Spaniard was not hit by another driver, despite many of the drivers not being able to see Sainz standing on the track.

On the Thursday after the race in Britain, Mercedes and McLaren will test a solution to poor visibility, including at Silverstone. The Mercedes will run with new wheel arches on the rear wheels. The aim is to reduce spray behind the cars. McLaren will on the other hand run without these wheel arches. Both cars will be fitted with a lot of measuring equipment. Should the solution work well, the wings will become mandatory during heavy rain.