Max Verstappen has weighed in on an argument surrounding the Spa-Francorchamps circuit after it saw a fatality last weekend.
Spa-Francorchamps has been criticised for the Eau Rouge corner, placed at the kink of the Kemmel straight, in particular.
Some F1 drivers have demanded changes to this corner, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll saying that it is “way too dangerous,” and “needs changing.”
However, Verstappen pointed out the crash happened beyond this turn.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
The Dutchman stated: “For sure, in Eau Rouge, going up it is blind, but of course, this accident now happened later [along the track].”
He also says the Eau Rouge corner is safer than parts of other, newer circuits such as the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Verstappen remarked: “It’s, for sure, quite a dangerous corner but we also go to Jeddah, and sector one at that, for me, is probably more dangerous, even.”
The Red Bull driver continued: “I’m happy that nothing has happened yet in that sector because going through (turns) six, seven, eight if you have a shunt there that can be the same – it’s all blind, you don’t know what’s coming.”
The issue of “blindness” in tight corners is one of the most dangerous issues facing F1 drivers.
Footage shows that Hoff’s crash occurred in very wet conditions, with the Dutchman striking a barrier and bouncing into the path of oncoming driver, Adam Fitzgerald, who was unsighted in the spray.
For some, this suggests weather conditions were a larger factor in the accident than the track.
Verstappen commented: “With that scenario, where there is almost no visibility, a lot of water, that is a big issue. I think.”
“In the dry, normally, it’s a bit better. You see, of course, more of what is going on in front of you.”
READ: F1 driver admits he was starstruck by Hollywood star
Verstappen acknowledged changes could be made to the Spa-Francorchamps track for increased safety.
He said: “I think the only thing that maybe can be improved there is to make more space in terms of trying to move the barriers more out.”
“At the moment, it looks like as soon as you crash, you hit the barrier, you bounce back onto the track quite easily.”