Hello dudes

Quick one re structural integrity.

On our first gens, up in the front wheel well, where the strut goes up through the fender, there is a sort of triangular shaped cover which faces toward the outside of the car. Called strut tower covers, I believe.

Are these structurally important? My DS one has a hole the size of Texas in it.

Are they literally to protect the strut or do they form part of the rigidididity of the strut tower?
These bits …