Nico Rosberg not only welcomes efforts to introduce cockpit protection, but he also hopeful that people critical of the designs which have appeared to date will “get over it”.
Following the trialing of both Ferrari’s ‘halo’ concept and Red Bull’s aeroscreen idea which ran in free practice in Sochi last week, dissident voices judging the two solutions have made their thoughts known.
At the forefront of those opposing the cockpit protection measures is Bernie Ecclestone himself, Formula 1’s supremo taking an instant dislike to the concept and believing the sport does not need such a device.
Championship leader Nico Rosberg begged to disagree however.
“In the history of the sport, every time safety has come about, it’s always been a compromise,” he said last weekend in Sochi.
“Every episode you can talk about in the history of the last 60 years, there has been exactly the same moaning initially, exactly the same issues with the looks changing.
“Just think to the cockpits being raised and not being able to see the driver anymore, things like that. We just need to accept that and hopefully the haters will get over it.
“Of course I respect that and understand it but I hope they get over it, as we need that and it’s the right direction.”
The cockpit protection theme has been the subject of much debate since it was initiated following Jules Bianchi’s tragic accident at the Japanese GP in 2014.
Indycar driver Justin Wilson’s death last year at Pocono Raceway, where the former F1 driver was struck in the head by a piece of flying debris, only reinforced the question.
Rosberg reiterated his view that there was still much to be gained in terms of driver safety by focusing on cockpit protection.
“We need it – it’s the biggest danger zone which remains in our sport as we have seen. There have been some fatalities. It’s an area where we need to keep pushing safety.
“That is the area that is most important at the moment and it’s great to see things are progressing. I’m confident a solution will be found. All drivers are up for it. We’re aware it’s not ideal for the purists, and we’re purists ourselves, so we’re very well aware.”
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