Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Let's go for canopy protection says Ricciardo

40

Echoing the views expressed by Jenson Button last week, Daniel Ricciardo has also come out in favour of the potential use of canopy protection in Formula 1.

On the back of Justin Wilson's tragic accident in Indycar in which the British driver died after being hit on the head by debris from another car, the subject of placing a canopy protection over the cock-pit of Grand Prix cars emerged once again.

The safety concept had initially been brought about after Jules Bianchi's freak accident at the Japanese Grand Prix last year, when the French driver slid off the track and hit a moving intervention tractor, with dire consequences unfortunately for the Manor racer.

Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo believes it is now time to make a change.
"It is something I want to definitely go for - for me it is the last piece of the puzzle," said the Australian.

"The helmets have come on a long way but unfortunately we have still seen some tragic accidents and you get to a point where you don't care about tradition anymore."

"I don't care if the statistics say there have only been a few deaths in the last 20 years. Statistics cannot predict what is going to happen in the future so now we need to ignore tradition and go for safety.

In the recent past, the FIA has trialed a jet-fighter type of canopy which offered adequate protection in deflection debris, but questions have arisen associated with potentially hazardous restrictions which may be imposed upon a driver with regard to exiting a protected cockpit.

"As a current driver and seeing these things happen around you in Formula 1 and in IndyCar, said Ricciardo, "it hits home a lot more and you just don't care how the past has been with tradition. It is silly not to look into options now for sure."

Click here for F1i's driver ratings from the Italian Grand Prix

2016 F1 driver line-ups so far

F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.