Is F1 safety car drought due to ground effect cars running at 90 not 100%?

[John S]

Alonso seems to think that the almost unprecedented run of 9 F1 races without a safety car deployment can be explained by the skittish unpredictable behaviour of the modern era F1 cars at full beans of 100%. 
Result is drivers can make better time at 90% & avoid stupid shunts. 

Now I know various WDC winners advocate winning races in slowest possible time, but I'm not sure this is what they mean. 

All us old school fans who like to believe our favourite F1 gladiator like drivers should attempt to extract over 100%, at least some if not all of the time in races, will find Nando's rationale rather disappointing. 

It's also messing up my, & probably others, GG predictions.
Singapore GP without a safety car???
That's usually a slam dunk.   

https://f1i.com/news/521155-alonso-safety-car-drought-linked-to-unique-traits-of-current-f1-cars.html

[Jericoke]

I'm sure there are many factors at play.

This season's championship has been unusual, with Verstappen running up an early 'insurmountable lead' before the RBR turned into a pumpkin, and Norris is gaining on him, well aware that he absolutely has to finish to get points.  It's up and down the grid, with close  races for various constructor positions, everyone is taking it easy because the risks aren't worth it.

We also know that rebuilding a car takes away from the development budget in the cap system, so drivers are probably also aware of that.

But yes, as Alonso points out, if the car is unreliable at 100%, it's a gamble.

[cosworth151]

If the car turns into a total squirrel at some point and faster lap time can be had by staying below that point......

It looks like a challenge for the designers if the cars can't run at full chat due to handling issues. The first team to figure that out could have a world beater.