Formula One: Closed cockpit could be the safer option

“I probably tend to agree to at least check and try or test the idea,” Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso said of the closed cockpit idea. “I think we are in 2014, we have the technology, we have aeroplanes, we have had many other examples that they use in a successful way so why not think about it? All the biggest accidents in motor sport over the last couple of years have been head injuries so it’s probably one part where we are not at the top of safety,” added the Spanish double world champion.

Alonso gave as an example the 2012 Belgian GP, where Romain Grosjean’s Lotus skimmed over his car, missing his head by a matter of centimetres.

‘BIG CHANGE’

The problem with canopies has been ensuring good visibility in poor conditions and the risk of a driver becoming trapped if a car overturns. Red Bull’s quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel said he had mixed feelings. “I think it (open cockpits) is one of the things that are very special about Formula One,” the German said. “On the other hand, as Fernando touched on, there’s a lot of reasons why we should look into closed cockpits for the future.”

Hamilton fastest

Nico Rosberg made history as the first Formula One driver to set a timed lap at In Sochi but championship leading Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton still ended up on top. Rosberg set a best time of one minute 42.311 seconds in the morning session with Hamilton second. But the Briton went top of the timesheets in an interrupted afternoon session with a best of 1:39.630.

Officials set to impose speed limit to cut down risks

SOCHI: Formula One officials are preparing to impose a speed limit to slow down cars during dangerous situations on the track, following the Japanese Grand Prix accident that left driver Jules Bianchi fighting for his life.

Formula One race director Charlie Whiting said Friday it would be best to give teams the ability to cut speed automatically if there is danger on a course, rather than leaving it up to the drivers. With international federation president

Jean Todt sitting next to him, Whiting showed previously unreleased video of Bianchi’s crash, which shows him driving into the tractor as the marshals had lifted a green flag to signal all clear.

“Nothing could have been done better,” Whiting said of the reaction to Bianchi’s accident.

Whiting said he had asked Suzuka organizers to start the race earlier but was turned down. He said the time of the start was not a factor in the accident.

The planned speed control would enhance a system already available and would, in some situations, replace the safety car. “It’s probably better to take the decision to slow down away from the drivers,” Whiting said. The aim was to build a “way to control speed with complete certainty and clarity, with the same effect as a safety car.”

Formula One officials were beginning talks with the teams on Saturday, but Whiting said it would be unrealistic to expect any new systems to be in place before the next season.