I think the risk helps keep them in check. They don’t drive so crazy and risk property damage of the cars and tracks so much if theyre physically inside the vehicle themselves. Otherwise they might be tempted to over-drive their vehicle and wreck it, costing their team money, the track for repairs, and potentially injuring spectators.

Yes, wrecks still happen, so long as humans are not perfect that is always a possibility. But I think eliminating the risk of injury from the driver for going a little too crazy would increase the potential for wrecks to occur.