The FIA has completed its testing of closed cockpits for F1 following a spate of accidents involving flying debris entering the cockpit.
Most notably, Felipe Massa was knocked unconcious following an accident in which he was struck on the head by a spring from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car which had worked its way loose at the 2009 Hungarian GP.
Henry Surtees, son of former-F1 champion John, was killed in 2009 during a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch when a loose tyre struck his head and most recently, Michael Schumacher came close to being seriously injured when Vitantonio Liuzzi’s front-wing almost hit the German’s head following an accident at the 2010 Abu Dhabi GP.
These events have raised some concerns about the driver safety with open cockpits and led to the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety and Sustainability to conduct an investigation into closed cockpits.
The tests which were completed this month saw a 20-pound wheel fired firstly at a polycarbonate windshield at 225km/h then at a fighter jet canopy at the same speed.
The video below shows the results and the outcome is obvious. The more durable, yet lighter fighter jet canopy, if F1 were to go down this route, would be the most suitable option and would also benefit the aerodynamics of the car.
Whilst the findings are positive, it by no means the sport will see closed cockpits in the near-future, but the results will be presented to the Technical Working Group comprised of all the teams on the grid.
Sauber technical director James Key welcomed the push for more driver safety, but questioned the need for a full canopy which could hinder the drivers if they need to exit the car in a quick manner.
“In terms of safety it would bring some benefits, because the driver would be protected but what happens when you have to rescue the pilots? That’s a tricky question,” he told Autosport.
“The efforts of the FIA are very welcome,” he added. “The International Automobile Federation does a good job to encourage additional security measures and it is worthwhile to look at such things.”
However, he suggested a partial canopy might be the best option, rather than the top being totally close, the partial shield would act more like a windscreen.
“One must however remember that such a construction would have trade-offs. Maybe a semi-closed version is a better option.”
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