Among the F1 drivers, support is growing for the potential introduction of closed or covered cockpits.
F1’s Jules Bianchi and IndyCar's Justin Wilson were the latest head injury-related casualties, but memories of the Henry Surtees fatality of 2009 (who struck a wheel in a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch) and what happened to Felipe Massa in the same year at Hungary are still fresh.
IndyCar’s Dan Wheldon and Marussia Formula One test driver Maria de Villota have also died the past four years after sustaining injuries in open-cockpit crashes.
"A helmet clearly is not protection enough," said Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz.
Until now, the big resistance to change has been twofold:
1) Ensure that the solution is not more dangerous than before, in terms of trapping a stricken driver.
2) The argument that open cockpits are the 'DNA' of open-wheel racing has also been widely touted.
Nico Hulkenberg, for example, said at Monza: "For me, single seaters are open. When we go into the cars, we know the risks.
"We have to be careful not to over-protect and sterilize everything," he insisted.
Valtteri Bottas, however, does not agree.
"I don't really see the difference between a Formula One car with a closed cockpit or not. It's still a Formula One car," said the Finn.
"When it is for safety I am open to anything."
F1 veteran Jenson Button has a similar view; particularly considering that fellow Britons Wilson and Wheldon were two of his former karting friends.
"I was always among those who said, 'This is open-cockpit racing.' But I think we've all had enough and it's time to do something about it.
"It's not the '70s. We should know better."
Likewise, Sebastian Vettel is an unabashed motor racing 'purist,' but he admits the arguments for change are now growing.
"If it would have meant that Justin is still with us, then I don't think anyone could put his hand up and say, 'No, I don't want that.'
"It is very sad and even if I'm not a fan of closed cockpits, we do need to look at it," the Ferrari driver added.
Fernando Alonso agrees: "We can see that these solutions are used in (Le Mans) endurance racing and that series is thriving.
"I'm sure the FIA and everyone is looking into it. I don't know if they will come up with a solution, but we should at least test the various options."
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