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[stonemonkey]

I feel in this instance its changes in procedure that would be more effective. Its not uncommon to see cars following each other off at the same places in those sort of conditions and though i know its easier to say with hindsight, a more prompt calling of the safety car and not allowing the recovery vehicle onto the circuit until everyone had slowed down would have prevented this. Another thing about incidents like this is that the marshals were there too and enclosed cockpits would do nothing for them.
So i dont really see this as an argument for enclosed cockpits, and seeing the damage done to the car im not sure it would have helped and even wonder if it could have caused a worse outcome.

[Jabberwocky]

Wouldnt it just make it harder to get out of the car

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[sagi58]

How about a common sense solution:

Don't run races that are under a severe weather watch;
and, only run them during daylight hours (beginning to end).

[What's Burning?]

There was actually nothing unsafe the race directors did in the GP. It was an unfortunate accident. A freak accident, an accident that perhaps could have been prevented with a half dozens what ifs, but there was nothing inherently unsafe about any of the situation, period.

[geetface9]

I say "closing" the wheels. Leave em open

[LRW]

How about a common sense solution:

Don't run races that are under a severe weather watch;
and, only run them during daylight hours (beginning to end).

Daylight hours would have done nothing to prevent this accident. And, in my opinion, the weather wasn't that bad at the end of the race. They have definitely driven in worse.

No matter what 'safety measures' are put in place, this is still motorsport. A very dangerous sport - and the drivers know that each time they get in a car.

Thats not saying things shouldn't be done to try and make it safer, BUT you will never make it 100% safe and freak accidents like this will happen.

[ckilger12]

How about a common sense solution:

Don't run races that are under a severe weather watch;
and, only run them during daylight hours (beginning to end).

Daylight hours would have done nothing to prevent this accident. And, in my opinion, the weather wasn't that bad at the end of the race. They have definitely driven in worse.

No matter what 'safety measures' are put in place, this is still motorsport. A very dangerous sport - and the drivers know that each time they get in a car.

Thats not saying things shouldn't be done to try and make it safer, BUT you will never make it 100% safe and freak accidents like this will happen.

I am with you and What's Burning?.............It is an unfortunate accident....the only thing that may or may not have prevented it form happening was waiting for the safety car before getting the tractor out...but then who knows Jules could have hit Sutil's car while it was stranded....might have been less of an impact...know one will know. The drivers know the risks whenever they get into that car. That is what makes the sport great

[sagi58]

Thanks, to all of you, for the feedback.

There will always be "what ifs" (WB) and as long as this remains a dangerous sport, accidents will happen (LRW).

I guess I'm second guessing Whiting because Bianchi is so badly hurt.
Can't imagine what his family is going through!

[geetface9]

I wonder if they could add some kind of safety 'skirt' on all the recovery equipment? Like if that tractor had a skirt that was made of tires, maybe four or five tires deep? Might be a little impractical but hey if it'll save somebody from brain surgery, why not explore solutions like that?

[Hammer278]

I'm repeating myself again, but maybe the best solution will be replacing Charlie Whiting.

If the track was bone dry and that crash occurred, I understand an SC not being there...double waved yellows is more than enough to let any thinking driver know that that section of track demands caution.

But on a track which is changing conditions all the time, and the rain was getting heavier (conditions were continuing to deteriorate), the race director made a STUPID judgement call to not call out the SC. This is not the first time an incident like this occured, anyone remember Brazil 2003? Cars were spinning out at T3 like flies dying...with heavy diggers around and a couple of cars missed it by mere meters. Also in torrential conditions.

Just like his equally stupid judgement call to leave the SC out for 3-4 laps extra at the beginning of the race when he had no reason to.

It is extremely obvious to me that this guy's reactions to the conditions are painfully slow. F1 is a fast sport, and demands fast decision making. This guy is TOO old, and we need someone younger and more alert to take up that highly important position. If I were Jules' or his family I'd want to make a case out of this and sue the FIA/Whiting penniless.

[Frontrunner]

I remember Turn 3 at Brazil 2003, There were like 8 broken cars sitting behind the fence at T3, it was like a graveyard of F1 cars. I have never witness a race quite like that one. But going on your point on the SC. Dry Conditions then yes I have no problems with just double waved yellow flags but in those wet conditions on the outside of Dunlop curve where the left hander feels like it goes forever and building speed does make you think why wasn't a SC deployed immediately does beg the question.

And going back to the thread topic about closed cockpits, not even sure if it would've made much of a difference in the Bianchi's incident, even the roll hoop behind the driver was completely wipe off, just incredible he is in a critical but stable condition as it is at the moment.

[Jax]

My only concern is that this is a knee jerk reaction that really needs to be flushed out. What if there is a fire and the driver has issues getting out of the car due to the closed cockpit? This isn't an idea that should be taken lightly.