I just stumbled across this article and video on the BBC Newsbeat site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14199629
The video shows tests carried out by the FIA in which an F1 tyre is fired into two sorts of canopy at 140mph. The "polycarbonate windshield" takes some damage but manages to deflect the tyre, whilst the F-16 fighter jet canopy manages to deflect the tyre with no apparent damage. I think this is largely a reaction to Massa's accident in 2009, and the FIA should be given credit for investigating the options at least. However, do canopies really have a place in F1?
The obvious safety improvement is that the drivers would be protected by any debris on track, like the video shows, perhaps even against other cars as well because their have been a few near misses when a car has climbed over another car from the side. However, what if the car flips and catches on fire, for example. How could the driver be extracted quickly?
Also, F1 has always been open wheel and open cockpit, which I think adds something to its thrill and appeal. An F1 car with a canopy just doesn't sound right - we could have been looking at cars with a roof and 4-cylinder engines. This sounds like touring cars to me, not F1.
Thoughts?
The video shows tests carried out by the FIA in which an F1 tyre is fired into two sorts of canopy at 140mph. The "polycarbonate windshield" takes some damage but manages to deflect the tyre, whilst the F-16 fighter jet canopy manages to deflect the tyre with no apparent damage. I think this is largely a reaction to Massa's accident in 2009, and the FIA should be given credit for investigating the options at least. However, do canopies really have a place in F1?
The obvious safety improvement is that the drivers would be protected by any debris on track, like the video shows, perhaps even against other cars as well because their have been a few near misses when a car has climbed over another car from the side. However, what if the car flips and catches on fire, for example. How could the driver be extracted quickly?
Also, F1 has always been open wheel and open cockpit, which I think adds something to its thrill and appeal. An F1 car with a canopy just doesn't sound right - we could have been looking at cars with a roof and 4-cylinder engines. This sounds like touring cars to me, not F1.
Thoughts?