Closed cockpit F1

Irish_Tom · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:14

Just seen this of Scarbs Twitter – They must be having a laugh, surely?

Linky.

TaKeN · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:21

I just can't imagine F1 with closed cockpits

megakid · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:21

That fighter jet canopy is amazing!

utajoker · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:41

i can picture it now, 180mph, raining and a tiny wiper with a squeak going side to side for a driver to peer out of.

Jokester · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:44

utajoker said:
i can picture it now, 180mph, raining and a tiny wiper with a squeak going side to side for a driver to peer out of.

Just bung on some RainX, sorted.

Glaucus · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:45

TaKeN said:
I just can't imagine F1 with closed cockpits

This, but if I think about it. I have far far less issues with it (like none) compared to many of the other stupid technology limitation rules they have implemented.

EddScott · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:09

What happens if the car catches fire and the driver is trapped? Fighter c0ckpits have the luxury of being jetisoned along with the pilot. You could do the same with F1 cars but then the canopy would probably be fired off and kill a marshall.

GeezerButler · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:11

Think it would be somewhat warm in the car with that over your head?

Shimmy · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:13

Seems like a sensible move to me.

Should also incorporate a fixed location for an onboard camera, the 'T' cam is too high.

Unless the canopy's are massive I guess we'll see less gesticulating and waving though

Tute · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:14

Swear filter fail. Almost as bad as Scunthorpe.

Glaucus · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:18

EddScott said:
What happens if the car catches fire and the driver is trapped? Fighter c0ckpits have the luxury of being jetisoned along with the pilot. You could do the same with F1 cars but then the canopy would probably be fired off and kill a marshall.

When's the last time we had a car fire that can't be put out and the driver hasn't got out. compared to several head injuries. In the last few years and some very close calls.

Who was it that jumped an f1 car over the other and missed hitting the other drivers head by inches. That was a good albeit scary crash.

weyland yutani · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:21

I imagine the aero designers would love it.

Irish_Tom · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:21

I can just see this adding to the potential for fuss over aero. "how many different ways are there to redirect the flow of air coming off the canopy to improve downforce etc. <ad nauseum>

*Edit*

weyland yutani said:
I imagine the aero designers would love it.

Snap!

Duke · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:25

It would be odd to have them closed, but would make sense for safety. Wonder if it would improve/hinder the aero much (cs||nuTs?)?

Glaucus · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:26

It would massively improve it. The cockpit is a nightmare. Abrupt edges & angles here there and everywhere.

It's why the red bull x1 has closed cockpit.

weyland yutani · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:52

^Same goes for the wheels, massive drag but zero downforce.

Skeeter · 14 Jul 2011 at 20:09

It bings a whole load of complications with it. Just look at Le Mans cars.

A closed cockpit creates heat, which means Le Mans cars are mandated to run AC in closed cars. This is extra weight and systems that they will need to find space for in an F1 car.

Then there is the curved window. It can distort your vision out, and reflect light in all sorts of odd ways. I can imagine this will be a nightmare for places like Abu Dhabi and Singapore with the low level lights.

However, ignoring these things, if you look at the high sidepods and low seating now in F1 cars now, fitting a canopy wouldn't be that difficult, and the safety aspects are obvious.

smr · 14 Jul 2011 at 20:15

I'm for it on safety grounds but against it for looks.

I just don't think it will look cool at all.

smr · 14 Jul 2011 at 20:19

AcidHell2 said:
It would massively improve it. The cockpit is a nightmare. Abrupt edges & angles here there and everywhere.

It's why the red bull x1 has closed cockpit.

Yeah aero testing would be a lot easier with canopy. The driver's heads are constantly bobbing about so the airflow would be a lot more controlled with a canopy.

TaKeN · 14 Jul 2011 at 20:25

AcidHell2 said:
When's the last time we had a car fire that can't be put out and the driver hasn't got out. compared to several head injuries. In the last few years and some very close calls.

Who was it that jumped an f1 car over the other and missed hitting the other drivers head by inches. That was a good albeit scary crash.

Michael Schumacher over the top of a Force India IIRC? EDIT - The other way round actually!