P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari has tested spray guards, intended to better reduce spray in adverse weather conditions, in a private FIA shakedown at the Fiorano Circuit.
Ferrari and the FIA are collaborating on testing new wheel guards to reduce excess spray impairing visibility during F1 races, with a recent trial at the Fiorano Circuit involving Arthur Leclerc and Oliver Bearman assessing different guard specifications. Visibility issues and race disruptions due to heavy wet weather have been ongoing concerns in F1, such as experienced at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, prompting these experimental measures. The wheel guards are part of the ‘Wet Weather Package’ (WPP) aimed at mitigating spray’s negative effects, as FIA seeks to finalize the solution for potential introduction in the 2025 or 2026 seasons. However, uncertainties remain regarding the root cause of the problem and whether the proposed measures will adequately address it in the long run. While progress is being made, further evaluations need to determine the most effective approach for enhancing visibility and race safety in adverse weather conditions within the F1 framework.
