Should f1 run coupes?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 555-04Q2

Welcome to the forum :)

---

Cheers :)

:beer:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 555-04Q2

Or drivers could just not race in F1 or any other open wheel formula. They know the hazards of racing in an open wheel formula, they accept it and they get paid big bucks for it. If it was really a concern, they would not be in F1.

---

Bravo! I've raced both open and tin tops - even had a car land on my car at Donny in '99 (still got the tyre marks on my skid lid to prove it) and I got back in the car the next day because that's what racing drivers do.

The risks are known, and whilst those risks should be managed, that is the key word - managed, not eradicated. Both because it is impossible and because its the adrenaline rush is what makes us want to do it in the first place. Take that away and you take away the reason for the sport to exist.

Its one of the reasons all that whinging on the radio about the rain got me so annoyed. 100% guaranteed, if the green flag had waved, they have been flat out, on the limit, giving it the beans. Not one would have parked it and said 'that's too wet.'

I still really don’t understand the purpose of this discussion.
The sport of F1 mandates open cockpit and exposed wheels.
Altering from this mandate changes the formula of the sport similar to other forms of motor racing that are currently available to bother drivers and spectators.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sonic

Bravo! I've raced both open and tin tops - even had a car land on my car at Donny in '99 (still got the tyre marks on my skid lid to prove it) and I got back in the car the next day because that's what racing drivers do.

The risks are known, and whilst those risks should be managed, that is the key word - managed, not eradicated. Both because it is impossible and because its the adrenaline rush is what makes us want to do it in the first place. Take that away and you take away the reason for the sport to exist.

Its one of the reasons all that whinging on the radio about the rain got me so annoyed. 100% guaranteed, if the green flag had waved, they have been flat out, on the limit, giving it the beans. Not one would have parked it and said 'that's too wet.'

---

:up: Some people will be unable/unwilling to understand your post. But it is a good one and sums up the point perfectly :up:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 555-04Q2

Or drivers could just not race in F1 or any other open wheel formula. They know the hazards of racing in an open wheel formula, they accept it and they get paid big bucks for it. If it was really a concern, they would not be in F1.

---

How's that any different to when drivers accepted the lack of safety in the '60s?

I'm not saying that I agree with what Daniel is suggesting, but the arguments against it are generally just too weak. There are a few that have come out and given decent reasons of why covered cockpits aren't the best option, but other than that it's all bull**** trying to hold on to 'tradition' and a lack of anyone saying what actually makes an F1 car an F1 car.

If we had front engined cars with no wings but still open cockpit and open wheel, how would people feel about that?

Anyway as someone that works in the building industry I know that "well they do it so it must be okay" is completely the wrong approach to health & safety. I know chippies that are happy to stand on hop-up steps at the top of a 2 story mobile tower scaffold. I know roofers that will happily work with no edge protection or harness, and the less said about scaffolders the better. None of this means that it's right or that there shouldn't at least be a debate on the subject of elfin safety.

F1 is a long, long, long way safer than it was many years ago, is the racing any less interesting? Do the drivers feel less of a buzz?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barryfullalove

How's that any different to when drivers accepted the lack of safety in the '60s?

I'm not saying that I agree with what Daniel is suggesting, but the arguments against it are generally just too weak. There are a few that have come out and given decent reasons of why covered cockpits aren't the best option, but other than that it's all bull**** trying to hold on to 'tradition' and a lack of anyone saying what actually makes an F1 car an F1 car.

If we had front engined cars with no wings but still open cockpit and open wheel, how would people feel about that?

Anyway as someone that works in the building industry I know that "well they do it so it must be okay" is completely the wrong approach to health & safety. I know chippies that are happy to stand on hop-up steps at the top of a 2 story mobile tower scaffold. I know roofers that will happily work with no edge protection or harness, and the less said about scaffolders the better. None of this means that it's right or that there shouldn't at least be a debate on the subject of elfin safety.

F1 is a long, long, long way safer than it was many years ago, is the racing any less interesting? Do the drivers feel less of a buzz?

---

Quite simple. As schmenke posted, F1 rules stipulate an open cockpit where the driver needs to get out without having to remove anything but the steering wheel. That is how an F1 car is regulated to be built. If people/drivers feel it is not safe enough, they can join the touring car championship or some other closed cockpit racing formula.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by schmenke

I still really don’t understand the purpose of this discussion.
The sport of F1 mandates open cockpit and exposed wheels.
Altering from this mandate changes the formula of the sport similar to other forms of motor racing that are currently available to bother drivers and spectators.

---

Nail, hit, head.

/thread

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by X-ecutioner

Nail, hit, head.

/thread

---

Nail, hit, finger.....aaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh.

We agree on something else again, a rare thing :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by schmenke

I still really don’t understand the purpose of this discussion.
The sport of F1 mandates open cockpit and exposed wheels.
Altering from this mandate changes the formula of the sport similar to other forms of motor racing that are currently available to bother drivers and spectators.

---

But if the sport dictated a goat being strapped on the engine cover? Or a pair of boobs on the nose? If one of the cars turned up with no goat and no boobs is it still an F1 car?

Rules can be changed if the sport feels they need to be changed.

Barry has hit the nail on the head really, to simply keep it as it is because that is how it was in the past is silly. If Michelin had come in this year and put low profile tyres on big wheels it would have been different but it would still be F1