In the wake of Justin Wilson's tragedy, it's natural for people to grasp for solutions to prevent a repeat. Given the circumstances, that means cockpit canopies are again being talked about.
How greater head protection is introduced in open-wheelers, if it it comes to that, will be dictated by the science, which is more complicated than many appreciate. But let's zero in very closely on one specific aspect of the debate: tradition.
Open-wheel racing cars, spearheaded by grand prix machinery and Indycars, are and always have been open-topped. But does it follow that they therefore always should be?