Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
It has been in discussion for many years now, and following the death last Friday of formula one pilot Jules Bianchi, it was brought up by Williams Felipe Massa. This topic is why does formula one racing not have closed canopies?
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There have been many events that can put this up such a discussion. The first lap accident a few years ago at Spa-Franchorchamps of Romain Grosjean sailing his Lotus over Fernando Alonso was a good point. Even more recently at the Red Bull Ring when Kimi Raikkonen almost got his head taken off by Alonso himself. A few close calls in addition to the rollover of Force India’s Sergio Perez in first practice Friday in Hungary makes the topic even more debatable. However, the F.I.A. and the F.O.M. still have not brought up the subject.
In a way, it could not be blamed. In a topic such as this, the teams would have to vote on it unanimously in order for it to pass. Secondly, it is called open wheel racing for a reason. And it just does not go to formula one. There are many categories out there that have the same theory. The World Endurance Championship for example, with it mixed classes, still have LMP 1 and 2 with open cockpits. And of course, here in the United States there is the Indy Series. None of these categories that has been mentioned are not complaining about it.
Having a canopy in any type of open wheel category might save the drivers life in case he or she rolls over, but there are other explanations that would make more sense of why it does not happen.
The first real problem is that if there is a moment where the driver has to get out in an emergency, with the car severely damaged, the canopy might not become able to open. The driver would be unable to escape and could be burned regardless of his or her fireproof underwear working properly. The word is carbon dioxide. Another explanation: regardless of this underwear working like it is supposed to, keep in mind from someone who has experienced from driving in a AGS Formula One car, for example, as well as all individuals that have attempted or done open wheel driving or racing, that the suit might protect you from getting burned, but the material does not breathe and in hot conditions such as this weekend in Hungary, the track temperature is 130 degrees on the track.
Already the drivers are sweating profusely with the open air striking them, so what would happen if the driver had a canopy?
As in all racing categories, the sport is dangerous. If anyone can make this issue more improved, it could be debatable whether or not it could be a good idea in the name of safety. But for now, leave it alone and let’s make racing good for both the drivers and the fans alike. And remember, there are track marshals that are there to make sure that the drivers are safe as can be from danger when it occurs.