Motorsport Off Topic Thread
- Thread starter Shimmy
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With the Justin Wilson accident I see there closed-cockpit talks have kicked up again. An interesting situation although I can't see passed out they would work with an upturned car seeing as that seems to be happening enough. However, theis concept is awesome:
http://andriesvanoverbeeke.com/3994...n-honda-formula-1-concept-with-closed-cockpit
http://andriesvanoverbeeke.com/3994...n-honda-formula-1-concept-with-closed-cockpit
Man of Honour
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Yup, the discussion was inevitable.
FIA set to carry out closed cockpit tests
Interesting concept. It seems to be only a matter of time before this becomes a reality.
FIA set to carry out closed cockpit tests
Interesting concept. It seems to be only a matter of time before this becomes a reality.
Neither really do anything for me, but that picture Dup posted doesn't look too bad overall, the Lewis one is hideous, looks like a speed boat lol.
However, if we have to have closed cockpits I'm all for it if it means saving lives.
Would be interested to see how they'd work if the car was upside down, and on fire though, and how they're going to make sure it doesn't get jammed in for instance a Lauda style accident.
However, if we have to have closed cockpits I'm all for it if it means saving lives.
Would be interested to see how they'd work if the car was upside down, and on fire though, and how they're going to make sure it doesn't get jammed in for instance a Lauda style accident.
I'd be happy with clear jet fighter like covers, huge amount of dislike for that other one though..
Surely they can find a way to make sure they can be removed after an accident? Don't all the gullwing cars in GT racing have hinges that can be blown out to allow exit from the car when it is upside down? That combined with enough clearance between the top of the screen and the airbox should give enough room to escape I'd have thought?
Surely they can find a way to make sure they can be removed after an accident? Don't all the gullwing cars in GT racing have hinges that can be blown out to allow exit from the car when it is upside down? That combined with enough clearance between the top of the screen and the airbox should give enough room to escape I'd have thought?
BMW Sauber had already tested a "solution*" back in 2006 with their twin tower concept which the FIA banned on safety grounds.
"In view of recent developments to bodywork forward of the cockpit opening on some cars, we have become concerned that these devices may impair the forward and/or lateral vision of the driver."
*I am aware those were wings for aero gain, but similar ideas are now being tested for protection
"In view of recent developments to bodywork forward of the cockpit opening on some cars, we have become concerned that these devices may impair the forward and/or lateral vision of the driver."
*I am aware those were wings for aero gain, but similar ideas are now being tested for protection
F1 designers already have to include lots of things that they wouldn't really want to add to the car in an ideal world, this is just something else they are going to have to deal with.
There have been mock ups with various ventilation holes but a lot of testing would need to be done first and if air con is needed then so be it. Hell the Aston Martin GT racer has featured solar panels powering it's aircon for a couple of years now
As usual in the F1 world a lot of people are whining and hand wringing over things that over series have dealt with years ago, the LMP1 crowd must be wetting themselves at seeing F1 struggle with all the insurmountable challenges of going closed roof. Hell F1 cars are still racing on 1970's profile tyres because no one could settle on a way to fit newer less comical sizes.
The comparison between LMP and especially GT cars arent really valid as the cockpits in those are much much bigger and wider than any F1 chassis, and the cars are bigger in volume and much heavier.
Unless F1 cars also get twice as wide cockpits when they get canopies, a more accurate comparison would be to things like small aircraft and gliders. But then those canopies are smaller and lighter and not really strong enough to withstand some of the impacts we have seen recently.
Making a canopy as strong as an LMP roof or fighter jet canopy, yet at a much much smaller size is a challenge. There's also the sharp curves of the material affecting visibility and playing havoc in low light.
Then there's other things. Does it need wipers? Or tear offs like Sports Cars. What about misting up when it rains (back to the aircon issues)? Currently F1 drivers have to get out of the cockpit in something like 5 seconds, can they do that with a manual release of a roof (you can't rely on a system)?
It's not easy, or it will have been done already as the aerodynamic advantages of a closed cockpit are massive, so designers would love that aspect of it.
Unless F1 cars also get twice as wide cockpits when they get canopies, a more accurate comparison would be to things like small aircraft and gliders. But then those canopies are smaller and lighter and not really strong enough to withstand some of the impacts we have seen recently.
Making a canopy as strong as an LMP roof or fighter jet canopy, yet at a much much smaller size is a challenge. There's also the sharp curves of the material affecting visibility and playing havoc in low light.
Then there's other things. Does it need wipers? Or tear offs like Sports Cars. What about misting up when it rains (back to the aircon issues)? Currently F1 drivers have to get out of the cockpit in something like 5 seconds, can they do that with a manual release of a roof (you can't rely on a system)?
It's not easy, or it will have been done already as the aerodynamic advantages of a closed cockpit are massive, so designers would love that aspect of it.
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Soldato
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Something in the back of my mind recalls that LMP1 and LMP2 drivers in closed cockpit cars have to exit the car within the same time as F1 drivers in their open cockpit cars.
Blackvault
From the BT Sport site
"BT Sport will deliver the UK’s first ever Ultra HD MotoGP event at Silverstone this weekend for round 12 of a pulsating title race."
Maybe F1 will be in 4K in ten years time
Depressing isn't it. Although the BT offering does highlight the problem with 4K "TV". It's not TV at all, its streamed to the set top box over fibre broadband. UK internet needs a kick up the arse for 4K to really take off.
True, but they also have a lot more room to manoeuvre inside the cars and have sideways opening doors to exit through. I'm not saying closed cockpits arent possible in F1, just that theres a lot of things to think about and challenges to overcome. It's certainly an interesting problem for engineers to tackle.