Formula One rejects jet fighter style canopies

[John S]

Tech chiefs and driver views negative over dangers from canopies.             
View the video - FIA tests, below.

GRAND PRIX aces have given the thumbs down to proposals to fit F1 cars with F16 fighter-style safety canopies.
The sport’s governing body has been considering poly-carbonate screens to provide added protection following Felipe Massa’s near fatal smash with a flying suspension spring in Hungary nearly two years ago.
But drivers fear the device could prevent escape in the event of a car overturning or catching fire, with spectators at danger from flying debris ricocheting off the screens.

Mirror.co.uk/sport/motorsport, Today.

Bosses have reportedly dismissed moves to enclose the cockpits of formula one cars. Technical chiefs began to investigate the possibility of jet fighter-style canopies for the cockpits in the wake of Felipe Massa’s near-fatal crash in Hungary two years ago.
"You can have covers and you can have canopies, but you also have to be able to get at a driver to extract him. There are a lot of secondary considerations," said Ross Brawn.
The report said the FIA had considered "poly-carbonate screens" for the cars, but "drivers fear the device could prevent escape in the event of a car overturning or catching fire", while spectators would be "at danger from flying debris ricocheting off the screens".

Nextgen-auto.com/f1, Today.

[cosworth151]

I can understand the concern about escape from an overturned car. Without an airbox to hold it up. it will be hard enough for a driver to get out of an overturned turbo car. A full canopy would make it nearly impossible.

That said, Massa's accident showed a safety need. I'm also reminded that F1 was one of the last forms of motorsport to adopt seat belts. (1972) It was said that they would make it too hard to get out of the car in case of fire.

[Jericoke]

I can understand the concern about escape from an overturned car. Without an airbox to hold it up. it will be hard enough for a driver to get out of an overturned turbo car. A full canopy would make it nearly impossible.

That said, Massa's accident showed a safety need. I'm also reminded that F1 was one of the last forms of motorsport to adopt seat belts. (1972) It was said that they would make it too hard to get out of the car in case of fire.

Why wouldn't a turbo car need an air box?  Surely it needs to take in MORE air, doesn't, not less?

Either way, the requirements are for a 'roll hoop'... I don't believe the air box has to be part of it, but the same structure will be required, whether it's doing double duty or not.

I'm glad they didn't go with the canopy either.  It would cause more problems than it solves.

[cosworth151]

Since a turbo is forced induction, it doesn't need to stick an airbox up for ram effect. Even with the roll hoop, see how much lower the turbo Champ Car was.