Martin Whitmarsh says closed cockpit decision should not be underestimated – Formula 1 news
Martin Whitmarsh team principal of McLaren commented that Formula 1 drivers are not safe on the circuit, after the devastating accident during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.
He said that the accident at Spa looked scary. He further said that he believes that people are becoming casual about the accidents and they have assumed that the driver would come out of the damaged car unharmed every time he faces an accident. He added
that they do not realise how close a driver gets to death, when he faces an accident.
Whitmarsh said, “It looked scary. I think we've become slightly nonchalant. We see so many big enormous shunts and we're used to the driver just popping out, but you realise that they can come inches from not popping out of the car. It's fortunate for him
[Alonso] and fortunate that we got away with the accident today.”
He added that it was very fortunate that drivers were able to get out of their damaged cars unscratched. He said that it is fortunate for Fernando Alonso, driver of Ferrari, as well that he managed a safe escape from the incident.
Commenting on the calls to introduce a cockpit canopy by the FIA, the team principal said that he thinks that some more protective measures should be adopted for the safety of the drivers. He added that he himself does not like closed cockpits but they need
to think again to adopt sufficient measures for the safety of the drivers.
Furthermore, he said that the phenomenon of a glass cockpit is perhaps misunderstood. He added that we cannot assume that a driver is safer under a glass cockpit, rather it can make the situation even worse.
Additionally, he said that the aviation has been working on the safety of Formula 1 drivers and pilots but still has been unable to find a suitable solution which could keep the driver’s view undistorted. He added that the glass cockpit could result in a
worse situation if fire breaks out in the car or if the car turns over.
Before the one race penalty was issued to Romain Grosjean, Whitmarsh said that he could not understand what the French driver had in his mind. He added that it did not seem that he was being squeezed out and it still remains a question what brought that
contact about. Besides, he said that it was frustrating to bear the cost of the accident as the elimination of two title contenders. He added that they should feel sorry about Hamilton, Alonso and the other drivers as well.
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