Don't wrap your thumbs unless you're ok with an airbag breaking your wrists.

CreamK, it's easy to say "that's stupid," but I doubt you have a better design for airbags that is practical to implement. If you do, great and good luck with your ingenious find. The airbag needs to be instantly in position for the head to hit it, and our body is built a certain way. Besides, 9 and 3 is perfectly fine and you'll find professional drivers on tracks driving that way.