McLaren - Closed Cockpit Design

I have no details on this pic... just came across on random article in my Twitter feed, but if this is what it'd look like...I'd give two thumbs up. The overall design is super sleek and just looks fast. Hell... even without the bubble.. that car would look 100 times better than the current version.
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Yeah, that look nice from an aesthetic point of view, but I doubt if that canopy would prevent head injury.
What is needed is a double roll-bar with the driver's head well inside it; a bit like on the Bonneville streamliners.

 

I believe it's been lifted from a set done by a dude called Overbeeke. Albeit with his "name" removed.

Here's the complete album;

McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Concept with closed cockpit - Album on Imgur

and here's "our" thread discussing it;

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/f1/490903-future-f1-renders-andries-van-overbeeke.html

As noted therein, they may look "nice", but my feeling is they're done by an art student, not an engineer - I could be wrong, but honestly don't see any "solid" engineering there.

Cheers,
Ian

 

It's (basically) lifted from a fighter plane. The FIA did some tests of these a few years back - Video on YT somewhere of them firing wheel & tire assemblies at the thing. They worked.

They're almost there already - OK, there is no "front" hoop sitting up high, but they're tucked down pretty low these days, and the front hoop is there, just we don't see it.

As always, whenever this is discussed, the canopy "supporters" will tell us it would help with head injuries. The detractors say it could result in egress problems.

Another one I could argue both ways I guess......

Cheers,
Ian

 

I agree.. it's not going to matter much if you go off track and slam into a 20 ton immovable object at 100mph. However, it might have saved Massa from that serious head injury.

 

I think it's going to happen, especially as the cars would also be faster, and one day current open cockpit cars will look weird in comparison. Just make them free to push out like the current horse shoe they have on top of their shoulders and there's no exit problem either.

 

Looks good. Not sure Reddit actually sponsors McLaren like the side of the front wing would imply.

 

Anyone great at Photoshop? ... I wonder what the new radical Ferrari would look like in this new design closed cockpit concept?

 

So F 1 will be a closed cockpit and Indycar is already essentially closed wheel in the back? Hello vintage racing!

 

That's called progress, or moving with the time; don't you know?.

Just like you are unlikely to fly Transatlantic with a prop aircaft, one day racing cars will be all-enclosed.

 

Yawn ...

 

Quick and dirty 'chop. I'm too tired to clean it up, but here you go.
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I can't help but think after Alo and Kimster's near miss, more and more people are going to sound for this.

But will it really help? Can the driver get stuck inside, and then there's a fire?

 

It won't be long now...still open cockpits tho..
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LOL ....nice one....

 

As a traditionalist I hate the idea but I expect that its inevitable.

 

Correct attitude.

 

A closed cockpit would be unbearably hot and stifling when the car isn't moving at speed, especially when racing in Asia.
Egress after a crash would be a big concern.
It would have to be a break-away mounting because of that.

 

Agreed on the first part, but I don't think it's "inevitable".

There's just too much "tradition" and history for them to put canopies on them IMO. If you're going to do that, why not enclose the wheels too?

Oh......Wait....... They already do that in the minor leagues.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Tradition in and of itself means bupkis to F1 except as how it can be used to sell the product.
If open wheels and cockpits survive it will because they are marketable anachronisms.

 

Totally agreed!

The whole thing is an anachronism if we think it thru though.

Personally, I have no problem with that.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.

 

This has potential.
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Its looks horrific IMO.

Open wheel, open cockpit. If a driver can't handle that risk then pack your things and beat it.