Here's Your First Proper Look At Red Bull's Canopy Concept
We’ve seen Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel test out the new halo ‘thong’ on track, and now it’s time for Red Bull’s concept to make its debut. Unlike the halo, Red Bull’s ‘aeroscreen’ wraps around the cockpit, with two pillars on either side. Not only is this design regarded by many to be better looking that the halo, but it also provides additional protection.
Because the screen resembles a fighter jet canopy, the driver is protected from head-on strikes; think Felipe Massa’s accident at the 2009 Hungarian GP. And unlike the halo, the aeroscreen features an open top, giving the driver an escape route in the event of a rollover. Something that has been a major worry after Fernando Alonso’s shunt at this year’s opening round in Australia.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner clearly favours his team’s solution: “I think the canopy offers a bit more protection because it does have a windscreen. We believe there’s better visibility and it’s a more elegant solution to the brief, rather than the boomerang thing that is the halo.”
Unsurprisingly, not everyone agrees, with fans favourite Lewis Hamilton telling Autosport:
“If they’re going to do this, close the cockpit like a fighter jet. Don’t half-arse it. Go one way or the other. That screen looks so bad. It looks like a bloody riot shield. You’ve got this cool, elegant futuristic Formula 1 car, and you’ve got a riot shield sitting on top of it. And the other one [halo], the carbon fibre structure was obviously good but Fernando [Alonso] wouldn’t have been able to get out of the car potentially in his crash in Melbourne.”
F1’s governing body has said that it ‘intends to introduce cockpit protection for 2017’ in a bid to improve driver safety following the deaths of Jules Bianchi and Indycar Driver Justin Wilson last year. And as it stands, it looks like the halo is the ‘preferred’ option of the FIA.
So the question is, which do you prefer? Do you think the ‘halo’ is better, or do you want to see Red Bull’s concept hit the grid? Take our poll below!
Comments
Honestly, whatever is safer. I rather make fun of a bad driver who survived, then a dead driver who did great.
I love redbulls
HOW ABOUT NO!!! NEIN! NEITHER!
i would say, let all manufacturers design and use their own. and see which is best on track.
Have a manadatory crash teat which they have to pass, and they can use any solution they want to clear the crash test.
But i can sense there will a problem with the Riot Screen in wet weather. youll also need vipers.
When Lewis Hamilton stops looking like an entry-level hip-hop producer, I’ll start listening to what he thinks looks good or bad.
Am i the only one that agrees with Hamilton?
They should make it like a cockpit
F1 team: how do we make this sport safer
guy: how about we add a shield that limits the person view
F1 team: Do you work here?
Guy: no
F1 team: YOU’RE HIRED!!!!