Head protection and closed cockpits in Formula One have been a talking point recently. Following the fatal accidents of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson, the FIA is attempting to push increased head protection for as early has 2017. David Brabham shares his opinion on head protection and closed cockpits in Formula One.
Brabham is an experienced driver whose career has spanned over three decades. He is a Le Mans winner, double ALMS Champion and has participated in various other motorsport disciplines, including Formula One. He is no stranger to the dangers of Formula One, as he witnessed the loss of his Simtek teammate, Roland Ratzenberger, during qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Having been absent from the Formula One car for over two decades, there have been various safety changes to the cars.
“There has been a lot of work done over the years by the FIA and F1 teams to make the head protection area safer for the driver and I am sure it has saved many lives, which is good,” Brabham told Racing Clothesline. “In my opinion, we should look at a balance of head protection for the driver but also keeping that risk element, you can’t sanitise the sport too much. If we go overboard then I think single-seaters then become sports cars and I am not sure that works for the sport.”
Although there are a range of closed cockpit concepts like the WEC-style cockpit or the fighter jet cockpit, the FIA has been supporting the ‘Halo’ design. The design was the brainchild of Mercedes. As displayed in Racing Clothesline’s render of the concept (pictured right), the design features some bodywork to protect the driver’s head, while still keeping the cars relatively open.
When asked about what he thought of the ‘halo’ design, Brahbam explained that it’s not really his place to say: “I am not sure I like the look of it [the halo concept], but the drivers in F1 should be the ones saying if they want it or not, as they are the people in the cockpit.”
Although the FIA claims to have conducted various extensive tests of the various head protection solutions, Brabham isn’t sure that the designs are ready: “More research is needed while it’s also vital to get feedback from the drivers. It’s important that there isn’t a panic reaction and things go overboard.”
Driver Head Protection Creates More Danger Than Safety
Closed Cockpits Are Not The Solution
Exclusive Interview: David Brabham
