Hulkenberg: Closed cockpit would "sterilise" F1

While several people have called for the introduction of closed cockpits following Justin Wilson's recent fatal IndyCar accident, Hulkenberg believes single-seaters should remain open.

The German driver raced a closed-cockpit Porsche to win this year's Le Mans 24 Hours.

"In my opinion, no," Hulkenberg replied when asked about closed cockpits in F1. "Obviously there's pros and cons but I see single-seater racing as open cockpits.

"Also when we sign up for this we know there's some risk involved and there could potentially be some danger, but that's in the DNA of racing and motorsport and I think we shouldn't sterilise the whole thing and make everything too clinical and overprotect everything.

"That's not good for the sport and might make things a bit unattractive."

Bottas disagrees

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas disagreed with Hulkenberg, saying that as long as it is not obstructive, Formula 1 should consider the option.

"Why not? If it doesn't limit your vision too much I don't see any downsides," Bottas said.

"There have been many accidents with things hitting drivers' heads, so I think anything that can be found to protect that would be good.

"People say that closed cockpits wouldn't be F1 cars but I don't really see what difference it makes."