The cockpit is the section on the chassis where the driver sits. It is essentially the workspace for drivers that contain all the control modules. F1 drivers are often called pilots.
In formula 1 the cockpit is left open, meaning there is no glass shied over the driver’s head. The cockpit is left open due to safety concerns in case of a crash. F1 rules say that the cockpits have to be a minimum of 850mm long and 450mm wide.
This rule makes the cockpit wide enough so that the drivers can get out in less than 5 seconds. The cockpit is part of the monocoque that makes up the framework of F1 cars. It can absorb a massive amount of energy during high-impact crashes.