Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has referred to as for modifications to the well-known Spa-Francorchamps circuit after a deadly accident there on Saturday.

Stroll drew parallels with the deadly accident involving Frenchman Anthoine Hubert in a Method 2 race at Spa in 2019.

“It isn’t truthful what occurred right this moment. That nook must be modified. We have been saying it for years,” Stroll mentioned.

The Belgian Grand Prix shall be held on the identical Spa observe on 28-30 July.

Stroll added: “They should do one thing. Enjoying with fireplace in a few weeks’ time. Once more.

“We significantly want to consider what to do with that nook as a result of it is by no means enjoyable going by there.

“Each time we undergo there we put our lives on the road, and right this moment we noticed one thing unhealthy occur and it is not proper. We mentioned it after which it blows over and it must be modified.”

World champion Max Verstappen additionally mentioned classes wanted to be discovered, although advised the observe itself was not essentially the principle subject in Van ‘t Hoff’s crash.

“It is easy responsible the observe,” Verstappen mentioned, “however taking a look at how moist it was and these type of issues, positively there are issues we’ve got to have a look at for the longer term, what we will do higher to guard drivers as a result of right this moment it was pointless, clearly.”

What occurred within the accident?

Van ‘t Hoff was hit by one other automotive after dropping management on the Kemmel straight in moist circumstances.

He got here to relaxation broadside throughout the observe in restricted visibility and was rammed side-on by a rival.

Hubert’s accident additionally occurred when he was T-boned by one other automotive, however his crash was in dry circumstances, and some hundred metres earlier within the lap, on the exit of the Raidillon nook, the ultimate a part of the notorious Eau Rouge swerves.

Eau Rouge is essentially the most iconic part of a observe that has hosted grands prix for a century and which is thought to be one of many biggest challenges for racing drivers wherever on the planet. Drivers settle for that, with the reward of driving at Spa, the dangers are larger than at extra fashionable tracks.

Former Williams driver Jack Aitken advised the BBC 5 stay Chequered Flag podcast there have been essential variations between the accidents of Hubert and Van ‘t Hoff.

The Briton, who fractured his collarbone and a vertebra in an accident at Raidillon in an endurance race in 2021, mentioned: “Many are saying it was fairly much like Hubert. I might say that though there are similarities – the kind of collision, a multiple-car accident, on the identical circuit – we shouldn’t be too fast to leap to conclusions.

“The components that led to the collision are very completely different.

“Persons are saying it was in the identical nook but it surely’s actually not. Anthoine had his accident at Raidillon, the highest of Eau Rouge, which is a blind crest. The partitions was fairly shut however they’ve made modifications since that accident. Whereas this accident occurred additional alongside the Kemmel straight. It was actually as a result of poor visibility.

“There are a whole lot of issues we have to be taught from that. In spray like that, you actually can not see greater than 10 metres in entrance of you in these vehicles. You’re completely trusting the drivers in entrance to not carry and hoping there’s no-one sluggish or stopped on observe as a result of there is not something you are able to do about it.

“It is vitally unhappy to lose somebody so younger. We’ve got had a whole lot of modifications to Raidillon. They’re good modifications. I can attest to that. I had fairly a nasty accident there myself they usually have actually opened up the barrier house there and moved the obstacles again. It’s nonetheless a blind nook and harmful however this can be a completely different accident.”

What does the F1 drivers’ physique say?

Alex Wurz, the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation (GPDA), advised BBC Sport it was essential to attend for the investigation into the accident earlier than deciding on the following steps.

Wurz mentioned he knew Van ‘t Hoff as a result of his personal son Charlie Wurz is racing in the identical class.

“It’s heartbreaking to see that,” Wurz mentioned. “A younger driver stuffed with aspiration has misplaced his life in that tragic accident.

“Usually I’m a member of the accident investigation teams and one of the best factor is to get the report and analyse all the small print.

“However in fact we all know {that a} high-speed T-bone accident is an absolute nightmare for any race automotive. The vehicles are examined to crash towards all of the sorts of obstacles however they aren’t particularly examined for such absolute worst-case T-bone conditions.

“And I keep in mind from the Hubert accident the energy of a chassis to be made to outlive such a crash can be so robust that the vehicles can be a lot heavier. Is it one thing we should always settle for or not? I am unable to reply that.

“Generally these T-bone accidents wouldn’t be survivable even in an F1 automotive with the present security requirements. However I might relatively watch for the information of the investigation after which see what may be steps to take.

“Maybe we are going to by no means get full security. The identical as with the aviation trade. It has turn into very protected but when a number of issues go incorrect it stays harmful.

“It is the identical with motorsport. Hazard is one thing we should settle for however we nonetheless wish to counter that with science to make sure we get safer.”

Wurz wouldn’t touch upon Stroll’s calls for for change at Raidillon.

A senior determine with data of the scenario advised BBC Sport that, on stability, the drivers had been glad with the modifications which have been made on the nook to extend security.

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff mentioned: “I am certain the FIA will look into it and say ‘what’s it we have to enhance?’

“All of us cherish Spa due to the observe it’s, however is there one thing we have to have a look at?

“I’ve seen the video of the accident and it appeared that it occurred a lot later than Raidillon so there should have been some tangling on the straight after which low visibility.

“It’s past phrases. Be taught, be taught be taught. What are the steps we will take and ensure younger lives are protected as finest as potential. However it’s a harmful sport.”

A spokesperson for motorsport’s governing physique the FIA mentioned: “We shall be reviewing the accessible information to totally perceive the incident earlier than making any additional remark.”