18" wheels
http://www.planetf1.com/photo-galler...nchers#photo=1

 

Still from a spectator's phone clip showing just how close Raikkonen's tyre (which had detached from the broken, but still tethered, wheel) came to decapitating Chilton ...



More here ...

 

And one step closer to closed cockpit racing.

Looking at just the last 5 years I can think of 3 incidents where sheer luck is all that's prevented us having the first death in racing since Senna, which was also a head injury that may not have happened were the drivers not exposed. They either need to come down incredibly hard on drivers having accidents or bite the bullet and canopy those guys up.

I know bike racing is far more dangerous, but you can't have a bike without danger. Plenty of other car formula get by just fine without the drivers head being exposed.

 

The problem is they've tried some glass canopies and they essentially don't work or a veriety of reasons: driver temperature, the thickness required to take the impact makes them WAY too heavy, manufacturing one in the required strength and shape is pretty difficult etc. You end up with LMP1 style cars.

 

Not saying it won't be a challenge, but it's easier than stitching a drivers head back on.

F1 is marketing. You think Mercedes would want to stay in the game if there was a gruesome death?

 

You seem quite fond of sweeping statements!

I watch a fair bit of motor racing, at all levels from club, through bttc, endurance, taking in in a bit of NASCAR (not live yet, but I hope to put that right next month) and of course F1.

I have attended many, many F1 races, here and abroad, starting back in 1974, and have never been disappointed.

I guess that means I am not a true Motorsport fan.

 

It's a very low probability though and obviously a closed cockpit means the driver being trapped in an upside down car.

The wheel tethers have largely got rid of the risk of flying wheels. You can see with Raikonnen's accident the tyre came off the rim and the heavier wheel and suspension stayed attached. So I think decapitation is a slight exaggeration. It wouldn't have been good though.

 

Having been to the test days last year and this now, I don't know what all the fuss is about with the noise.

Last year I ended up standing on corners rather than the straights because at full pelt the noise was uncomfortable. Now it's not like that but it's still a good racing car noise.

 

Really annoyed I couldn't go to the test. When I was there last year was when I was looking for a job and had an agent phone to arrange an interview. A bit of a difficult phone call with f1 cars in the background.

 

Did you attend the the Silverstone weekend just gone?

If not, have you heard the new cars?

I have no doubt in 1974 it would have been amazing and I'd be badgering on about how brilliant it was.

And people seem to say that Singapore, Canada and Spa offer much better event than here.