*Spoiler* CLOSED COCKPITS IN F1 INEVITABLE?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102213


Mod note: link contains information about the past race, avoid if you haven't seen yet

 

I just added this to the race thread as it's a spoiler in more ways than one!......

Cheers,
Ian

 

They would have to add AC if they enclosed the cockpit.

 

Not sure exactly what they're up to these days, but for sure they've given up with the "fighter canopy" approach for many reasons. Paddy Lowe also notes;

I suspect we'll see some kind of "forward roll hoop" over the steering wheel area. It'll suck, but less than seeing another guy get killed......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Seems a bit ironic to me that "work on closed cockpits ramped up after the injuries that Felipe Massa suffered" yet the proposed design as I understand it wouldn't prevent small objects from striking the driver such as happened to Massa.

However, I can see how it would provide some protection from large items such as the wheel that struck young Surtees.

I'm thinking they need some sort of enlarged windscreen.

EDIT...

Did some Googling and found these...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e87HIlOIYFA[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgHh4V0WYCs[/ame]

 

Thanks to the mods, I apologize for not addiing *spoiler* to the title.

 

The subtitle in the fighter jet canopy video says that the canopy deals with the impact very nicely because it provides a load path for the wheel - IMHO they set the test up so that the (angled) tire hit the canopy in the optimal way for it to deflect the impact, other angles and directions may not have had such impressing results.

 

G'damn engineers! [I can say that 'cos I'm one too ]

IIRC, they did try coming at it from all different angles and it proved "strong" enough. However, they moved on for many reasons, not the least of which was the possibility of the guy getting trapped - There were other reasons, I seem to recall the jockey's were dead set against it too.

Even the Lotus "frame" could trap a guy I think. Maybe they need to look at "dummy ejector seats" - Not to throw the guy out eek but to allow the whole mess to be removed with him still in it. Anyone recall if Prof Sids impromptu saving of Mika's life was done with him still in the car? Or was he out of it by then?

Further, as has already been noted, it wouldn't have saved Phil. Unfortunately, there will always be the hopefully rare "freak" accident. Motor racing is dangerous. Always has been, always will be.

IMESHO, we've gotta be able to see theirs noggins - Lose that (and the sticky out wheels ) and F1 loses a lot of it's appeal.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I don't think closed cockpits will bother me as much these days as it would have a few years ago. I don't like the idea, but I don't dislike it. To me, it's more important to maintain true open wheels.

Mark

 

FWIW, http://espn.go.com/racing/nhra/story/_/id/8233729/nhra-enclosed-cockpits-debut-brainerd

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z58gEEHx1ss[/ame]

Backstory, May '11: http://bangshift.com/blog/top-fuel-technology-update-schumacher-racing-takes-delivery-of-safety-capsule-for-army-top-fuel-dragster.html

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The same FIA that has to make minor incident decisions after the race? I don't think we have to worry about "soon"

 

Enclosed cockpits would no longer be F1 but Le Mans racing.

Worst idea ever

 

Yes, but next time Alonso or whoever, may not so be lucky. That Red Bull thing Newey designed for GT 5 is probably the future of F1 cars.

 

It is a super rare case and changing the very nature of F1 because of it is throwing the baby out with the bath.

Going faster than 100 mph is dangerous too. Should we limit the speeds of F1 cars?

Besides: Risk is part of the deal.

 

+1

Question in general:

How many head injuries in the last 20 years in F1 coming from something hitting the helmet? Be it a car, part or stationary thing.

I can think of 1. Massa's spring headbutt in 2009.

IMO part of the reason why motorsports is adored is because of the added danger. Both spectators and drivers are aware of what can happen. I think I'm right in saying that F1 is the safest motorsport currently, despite the one being with the highest average speed. F1 is safe enough.

Look at motorcycle racing for instance, all the safety they have is a suit with some clever placed armor, helmet and neck brace.

They are much more exposed to injury than F1 driver.

There is such a thing as too much safety, or focussing to much on it.

No one wants to see anyone die, of course, but closed canopies will tarnish the myth of F1.

 

Strange thing to say.

 

Found on the web.
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I can think of another one off hand; John Surtees son died by taking a bouncing tire to the head right around the same time as Massa's incident. It may have been the same weekend, but I'm not totally sure about that.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/8158445.stm


Mark

 

Lets say we replaced the driver with electronics, and the drivers would sit in a simulator, racing against each other, and we would still see the cars racing against each other on track. The only thing we've done is remove the driver from the cockpit and put him in the pitlane.

We could still dress up the electronics to make it look like its the drivers sitting in the car. Would anyone still watch? No.

It's an extreme concept but entirely doable. It could be in place for the Singapore GP.

Motorsport is dangerous, and always will be, unless we put a system like this in place. F1 is incredibly safe, yet still the fastest sport (one with actual corners). Even so, F1 has the fewest injuries/deaths in the last 20 years of any motorsport that compares.

 

I think it was about a week or 2 after Massa's incident. It was a terrible incident, but it was in F2, and I'm not sure if they had wheel tethers or not.

 

I used to think that way, but I have realized he is correct: the danger is part of the deal. It's part of the excitement of going fast, it's part of the excitement of close quarters, it's part of the spectacle. It is real.

Take it to the extreme: no one would sit around and watch a live iRacing replay of the pro drivers. And besides, there are plenty of kids who could get on a sim and probably give the pros a run for their money. But it is NOT the same as getting in an open car, wheel to wheel, and going at it at 4 gs and near to 200 mph.

I have seen guys get really hurt at "simple" track events. And rarely I have wondered "what the hell am I doing here, I could be killed doing this." And that's when I realized that the risk may be a big part of why I am there.

I think the DRIVERS should make the decision. Look at Massa: as soon as possible he was right back in the car. He's already made enough money he won't have to work a day in his life. So why continue? Because it's what he loves to do.

 

Nobody want´s the f.1 image to pe spoilled with something that will alter the car configuration but, i also think we will accept it if it saves someone's life.
The canopy could have saved Ayrton. I do believe however they will figure some sort off roll bar that keeps the car "open"...that won´t prevent drivers from being hit by smaller parts but could avoid theyr heads being choped of by the other cars.

 

Frankly, i could not care less if it's covered or not covered. As long as there's some great racing, who cares.

 

Let's not forget testing. What about MdV?

 

Agree 100%