Source:REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
[Saba Sports News] After the long-awaited summer break, the F1 Dutch Grand Prix has arrived. However, the weather in the Netherlands is currently being hit by heavy rain. Reportedly, rain was very intermittent during practice sessions. According to weather forecasts, there is a high probability the race will be held in the rain. Rain races are a huge test of drivers’ skill and mental fortitude. On a slippery track, drivers need to control the throttle, brakes, and steering wheel more precisely; the slightest mistake can lead to a loss of control. In recent years, F1’s rules for wet races have been controversial. On one hand, to ensure driver safety, race control deploys the Safety Car or suspends the race whenever track conditions are less than ideal, which shortens wet races and affects their excitement. On the other hand, rule restrictions also make teams relatively conservative in their strategy planning, making races seem more procedural and reducing the sense of involvement for both viewers and drivers. Furthermore, frequent Safety Car deployments and race suspensions during the event can affect broadcast quality and lead to lower viewership ratings.