user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Open cockpit action inevitable after Spa crash

Open cockpit action inevitable after Spa crash

  • Published on 04 Sep 2012 14:35
  • comments 0
  • By: Danny Sosef
Sunday's terrifying first-corner crash at Spa Francorchamps has reopened the debate about whether the sport's days of open cockpits are numbered. Paddy Lowe, McLaren's technical director, thinks Fernando Alonso's lucky escape after Romain Grosjean's flying Lotus only narrowly missed the Spaniard's hands and head on Sunday means that action is now "inevitable".

He is quoted by the Herald Sun as acknowledging that the drivers' exposed head is the last "big" safety issue for formula one.

Lowe is part of the working group that is looking into whether closed cockpits, shields, forward roll-hoops or canopies are the right solution to the problem.

"I think 2014 is intended (for introduction), as we started the project a year ago," he said.

However, it has been suggested the FIA might have to admit that the benefits of better head protection might be outweighed by its disadvantages, such as reduced driver visibility.

"Ideally a driver wants nothing in the way," said Lowe, "but in the same way as you drive a road car or even the old VW camper van with the centre pillar, you just get used to it, don't you? "We found that as long as the pillars don't get too big it is something you can get used to." (GMM)
F1 News Fernando Alonso Romain Grosjean Lotus F1 McLaren

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2022

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
431
2
Ferrari
334
3
Mercedes
304
4
Alpine F1
99
5
McLaren
95
6
Alfa Romeo Racing
51
7
Haas F1
34
8
Alpha Tauri
27
9
Aston Martin
20
10
Williams
3
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
Fernando Alonso
  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 256
  • Podiums 1
  • Grand Prix 113
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (41)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Lotus F1
Lotus F1
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia
Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco
Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom
Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria
Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France
Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary
Hungaroring
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary Hungaroring
See full schedule
show sidebar