After Wheldon's death, the debate over driver protection is reignited

Yesterday we watched with sad surprise as British driver Dan Wheldon died following the horrific crash at the Indy, in which 15 cars were damaged. Lamenting now serves no purpose, nor does debating whether the Las Vegas track is dangerous or not; I believe the central issue now will be the protective cover on open-wheel racing cars for drivers.

This is not a topic to be taken lightly. The FIA has already been conducting some tests in this regard, although the matter seems to be on hold for the time being.

It appears to be the solution to accidents like Wheldon’s, where the driver was practically decapitated against the track barriers. But we must also consider tyres and parts from other cars striking the driver’s head, as we saw in the past accidents of Felipe Massa at the Hungaroring and young Henry Surtees, who was struck on the head by a tyre.

In recent hours, comments on the matter have begun to surface, and it has even been mentioned how drivers Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller survived accidents at Le Mans this year thanks to the protective cockpit.

Is it time to take action? What do you think?