Although it is unlikely this device would have reduced the scale of his injuries, the death of Jules Bianchi last year reignited the debate around cockpit protection.
Bianchi’s death reignited the debate around cockpit protection Photo: GETTY IMAGES
The subsequent death of Justin Wilson, the Sheffield-born IndyCar racer, who was struck on the head by a piece of debris from another accident, led F1’s drivers to say enough was enough.
Felipe Massa was also lucky to survive after a spring broke free from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn in qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. Just seven days earlier, Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 world champion Jon Surtees, died when a bouncing wheel hit his head in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch.
Some drivers have been philosophically opposed to any form of head protection – as well concerns about the aesthetics of the design – but this spate of injuries has turned the tide in favour of action.
Wurz told the BBC: “We will now enter the design phase, where the drivers need to be open to a slightly different visibility spectrum due to the additional structure. I am also curious as to how the teams will make the new solution look cool and fast.”