Topic returns following Jules Bianchi's crash in Japan
Friday 10 October 2014 10:19, UK
Formula 1 will have to consider closed cockpits if they can improve safety in the wake of Jules Bianchi's accident, according to Williams Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams.
Having always been an open-cockpit series, the topic of enclosing the drivers is one which has been discussed in recent seasons following Felipe Massa’s 2009 accident in Hungary and Henry Surtees’ fatal collision with a tyre at Brands Hatch in F2 that same year.
Some fans and purists have been vocal in their opposition to any such move, but Williams says it must be considered if it can keep drivers safe.
“I think it is something that we have to look at,” she told Sky Sports News HQ. “If it can improve safety then of course it has to be on the agenda as a conversation to have.
“But closed cockpits are not easy technically for us to integrate into a Formula 1 car and of course they would change the very nature of what a Formula 1 car looks like. We have to look at all the options available to us, whether that is a closed cockpit or not, but I think those conversations need to go on behind the scenes.”
Significant advancements have been made in F1 safety since Ayrton Senna died at Imola in 1994, but Williams says the sport cannot get complacent.
“Safety is always on the agenda in Formula 1, our sport is dangerous at times, but a lot of work has been done behind the scenes over the last 20 years since Ayrton died at Imola in ’94,” she added.
“I think you see a lot of accidents now in Formula 1 where you don’t necessarily expect drivers to walk away [but they do so] and certainly prior to 20 years ago they wouldn’t necessarily have done so. But a lot of work has been done and drivers do walk away in most scenarios now.
“But we are always talking about safety in Formula 1, it is always on the agenda in order to make sure our drivers are as protected as they can be in the sport we compete in.”
Double World Champion Fernando Alonso has backed Williams’ view, highlighting the moment at the start of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix when Romain Grosjean shot across the nose of his Ferrari as a reason closed cockpits should be considered.
“I tend to agree to at least check and try and test the idea,” the Spaniard said in Thursday's FIA Press Conference.
“I think we are in 2014, we have the technology, we have aeroplanes and many other examples that they use in a successful way so why not think about it. All the biggest accidents in motorsport in the last couple of years have been due to this so probably it is one of the parts where we are not at the top of safety.
"In my case look at Spa in 2012 when I could have died there if it was 10cm closer to my head. If the technology is there and available and there is the possibility I will not exclude it for sure.”
Massa echoed the thoughts of his former team-mate, but admits whilst it would have projected him at the Hungaroring, a canopy may have done little for Bianchi.
“I totally agree with what Fernando said and I think it would be interesting to try and interesting to work on that possibility,” the Brazilian added.
“Definitely for my accident it would have been perfect, maybe for Jules I don’t know. But I think it would be interesting for many different types of accident, including the one I had. I totally agree with Fernando, it can be an option and we will see when we can try something and see something to see if it is positive or not.”
However, Sebastian Vettel is not convinced and doesn’t like the idea of breaking away from F1’s traditions.
“I have mixed feelings to be honest,” the World Champion said..
“If you look at Formula 1 cars from the beginning for Formula 1 and open wheel racing I think it is one of the things that is very special about Formula 1. On the other hand there are a lot of reasons to look into closed cockpits for the future. At this stage and after what happened, I don’t really have an opinion to be honest.”
The 2014 Russian GP is live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Extensive coverage of Race Day from Sochi begins at 10:30am on Sunday with lights out at 12pm.
