Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu has suggested that Spa-Francorchamps should introduce a chicane at Eau Rouge for safety purposes.
The complex has come under scrutiny in recent years after a spate of accidents, most notably in 2019, when Formula 2 racer Anthoine Hubert was killed.
Dilano van t’Hoff sustained fatal injuries in a FRECA accident last month when his stricken car was hit slightly further along the Kemmel Straight in wet conditions.
Speaking on Thursday Zhou, who was part of the former Renault Academy with Hubert, said: “I think Spa is a nice track to come to but Eau Rouge, I think for me, it’s the right time to make some adjustments to make it slower.
“Then it’s easier for overtaking, easier for racing, as well as safety.”
Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Thursday 27th July 2023. Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Zhou went on to refer to a video of the 1994 race, when a temporary left-right chicane was installed at the bottom of the compression, following a spate of serious accidents in Formula 1 that season.
“That was actually quite good, it was the first time I saw that video, it was nice to see that, it’s a little bit of braking, even talking about two gears downshift.
“It does make a difference between how easy [it is] to follow, and anyway you have a DRS chance coming in the second half of the straight when overtaking happens, and it reduces the risk that people take when you arrive there.”
Zhou added that “it’s flat in the dry, so it’s not that challenging for F1 cars” and agreed with a suggestion that the complex is now more dangerous than it is a challenge.
Keyword: Zhou suggests Eau Rouge changes for safety purposes