Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
Regarding rain in the cockpit, it's not that bad. As said, at speed, most of it hits the helmet, or is deflected up by the small visor in front of the cockpit. Any water that does get in is usually soaked up by the drivers' overalls.
Visibility at speed isn't too bad, as the air makes the water bead off the visors anyway. The problem is spray, which appears as a white wall.... however TV does make it look worse than it actually is...
As for the tyres, the tyres work harder now than the old days, because they are cornering faster! Regulations only allow inters and wets, Monsoons are deeper in tread depth, but are useless once the rain stops, as the depth of tread makes them burn out in no time at all. The current tyres have a wider operating window.
I think they are right to put out the safety car when the cars go off aquaplaning. If you've ever experienced it on a circuit, it is terrifying! If the cars aquaplane at speed, WITH a lot of downforce, they have no hope in the slower corners. Remember the cars are very light, and don't have the mass to compress the tyre on the road at low speed, that's why they sometimes struggle to keep us with the pace car. Even pit lane can be dangerous,remember under 100kph, the tyres IS the suspension...
If any one has seen footage of Adelaide 1991, they will see a car at full speed turn hard right into the wall when it hits a puddle of standing water. I've nearly had the steering wheel ripped out of my hands in a sedan at 100kph, so imagine at 250 kph plus....
When they stop races today, it's because we all know better about safety, and because of a duty of care to the drivers, officials etc.
The cars themselves are pretty benign to water. Exposed connectors usually have a rubber seal etc. Airboxes aren't a big deal, as the water drains along the base of the airbox, or the air filter catches the rain. Nowadays teams don't bolt anything electrical to the floor of cars, unless sealed, to deal with the water coming through the radiators in the sidepods....
