Hydroplaning occurs when:

Hydroplaning is a phenomenon that occurs when a vehicle's tires encounter a layer of water on the road surface, resulting in a loss of traction. This situation happens when the tires cannot effectively displace the water beneath them, causing the vehicle to ride on top of the water, much like a boat. This floating effect severely diminishes control over the vehicle, making steering and braking significantly less effective.

While other options relate to tire performance and vehicle handling, they do not capture the specific mechanics of hydroplaning as accurately as the chosen answer. For instance, losing contact with the road can be a result of hydroplaning but does not encompass the entire process, which specifically involves the tires riding on water. The idea of tires spinning too fast relates more to losing traction due to acceleration rather than the distinct effect of hydroplaning. Overinflation of tires can lead to various handling issues but does not directly cause the separation of tires from the road surface in the context of acquiring lift from water.