Whiting only wants F1 cars to look dangerous

FIA race director Charlie Whiting only wants F1 cars to look dangerous as he backs plans to introduce cockpit protection next season.

Lewis Hamilton was outspoken about the Red Bull Aeroscreen concept which was tested in Russia, criticising the aesthetics and saying he accepts the risks of driving an F1 car every time he gets behind the wheel. Martin Brundle agrees with Hamilton's comments, but Whiting says the aim is to ensure a driver can climb out of a car unscathed after spectacular incidents, much in the same way Fernando Alonso did in Australia this season.

"I take [Hamilton's] point, there will always be risks if you start driving a car that quickly," Whiting is quoted as saying by Autosport. "When you look at the cars on track, it's not until they go off the track that you realise how fast they are going and just what damage can be done.

"Cars will still look dangerous. Our job is to try and make them look dangerous without being dangerous.

"There is nothing better than to see a driver get out of an incredibly damaged car like we saw with Fernando. When you saw [Robert] Kubica's accident in Canada a few years ago, somehow you just thought he was going to get out of it, and we want to improve the chances of that happening while the spectacle is still there."

While Hamilton remains against the idea, Nico Rosberg said after the Russian Grand Prix that "hopefully the haters will get over it" when cockpit protection is introduced.

Scene at the Russian Grand Prix