I dread to think what F1 cars would look like if the sport relented to every knee jerk reaction from that crowd.
Should F1 go for closed cockpits, they should take the design of Adrian Newey's Red Bull Playstation car (i have no idea what's it called). That Merc design looks stupid as hell.
This is a very controversial theme. In my opinion every driver is aware of the possible dangers that being a Formula 1 Driver. By putting a cockpit the essence of the sport is diminish tremendously. This is a perfect example of how the piercing scream from the old V8 engine has been replaced by the more dulcet tones of the 1.6-litre V6 turbo. People have complain about the cars not making the same sound that got fans on their feet. Are FIA concerns to protect drivers burying the sport after all?
Jenson Button says it's time for closed cockpits in Formula 1 Jenson Button says it's time for closed cockpits in Formula 1 - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com
I vote for a fighter jet type canopy. Seeing the driver's helmet poking up from the car doesn't really do anything for me, so I don't really think that seeing the helmet beneath a canopy will bother me. F1 should be at the pinnacle of auto technology and, to me, open cockpits do not represent latest tech.
Since when is a canopy new tech? Why is there always this need to constantly change things, because "we'll it's 2015 we shouldn't do it like that anymore" attitude? What happens when a driver is killed or seriously injured with a canopy? Then what?
You & your ****ing lasers! Makes as much sense as the random sprinkler attacks proposed by some! Cheers, Ian
Hmmm... Random lasers attacks... Hmmm... We're getting somewhere! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wecd5S2pr_Q[/ame]
Closed cockpits needed at all levels 'Closed cockpits needed at all levels' - PlanetF1 : PlanetF1 As research into closed cockpits continues, the FIA Drivers' Commission has advised that any solution that is implemented be affordable for all single-seater categories. The FIA has confirmed that it is exploring the possibility of using canopies in Formula 1 following the recent deaths of Marussia driver Jules Bianchi and former Formula 1 racer Justin Wilson. However, there are contrasting opinions on whether or not to use closed cockpits in F1 with the likes of Jenson Button and Daniel Ricciardo in favour of it while Daniil Kvyat and Nico Hulkenberg are on the opposite end of the scale. The FIA Drivers' Commission met in Paris recently to discuss the issue and wants uniformity across all levels. "A central theme of today's safety discussion surrounds the concept of improving cockpit safety for single seater cars," a statement said. "The Drivers' Commission is aware of the developments being made in this area, but stressed the importance of solutions that are developed for Formula One being simple and affordable enough to be implemented at all levels of single seater racing."
Viewpoints - MILLER: A calculated risk Excerpt: "But the country's most popular game has become a helluva lot more deadly than anything on four wheels. According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, sandlot, high school, college and pro football numbered 55 deaths from 2000-2013 directly related to hitting, tackling and their after-effects. Another 147 perished indirectly due to heat stroke, heart issues or other side effects." ...worth a full read.
That's the key for me as you know, otherwise it is just for political reasons and not to make an actual impact. I just don't see how you accomplish this on a $60k USD F4 car. A fighter jet canopy costs about $60k USD FYI. So it could literally double the cost of the lowest level Fx series. Jets also don't have to worry about being upside down on the ground, on fire, or have fuel entering the cabin. There is also the issue of cooling, visibility (rain), and the associated weight of any systems to support those new issues.
But who says that a "fighter jet canop"y is the only solution to improve safety on open cars? Why are people so obsessed by a canopy, when there are other solutions? A canopy is not be part of the chassis structure, and therefore cannot afford the driver with the safety he needs.
I'm not an engineer; only on the internet ; ) So, I have no idea. The jet canopy is what the FIA tested previously and rejected. I've seen only two solutions - the canopy and the extensions/uprights (Merc concept) that block the drivers view and look crap. I'm not sure the latter will be much cheaper anyway. You have to make it strong enough, and a part of the chassis. Seems very complicated to me, and then you also have the visibility issue. Is there another option that hasn't been shown?
I like the conclusion in the Miller article: More than half of Justin Wilson's life was going fast, taking calculated chances and breathing the rarified air of doing something exhilarating for a living. His death didn't have anything to do with the fabric of driving a racecar. It was a fluke and something as random as being struck by lightning.
Actually it's true. In F1 itself, the last incident that could be prevented by a closed cockpit was Massa's.
In F1 maybe, but not in open-cockpit categories in general, where several deaths and injuries have been recorded over the years. Closed cockpits would have prevented that, so it's a venue worth pursuing in the interest of safety. Resistance to safety improvements is not new; people were also against seat belts, full-face helmets, guardrails, flameproof clothing, run-off areas, etc... F1 should lead the way, and not stop the progress. It's not a revolution, just an evolution.
