This Is What Red Bull’s F1 Cockpit Protection Device Could Look Like
Earlier this month the FIA’s ‘halo’ cockpit protection prototype debuted during winter testing, with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel briefly trying it out in Spain. It certainly sparked quite a discussion, with the unusual looking device being the FIA’s preferred option to improve cockpit safety, which it is looking to introduce in 2017.
But Red Bull is said to be developing an alternative cockpit protector. Renowned technical F1 illustrator has produced these drawings for Motorsport.com of what the device, which team boss Christian Horner described as “more of a canopy – open topped - like a bigger windscreen” – could look like.
The acrylic canopy with an open top and two supports on either side, rather than the ‘halo’ design’s one middle support, is certainly a more elegant design but it still raises plenty of questions to do with safety and driver extraction.
Driver safety is a big topic following the tragic deaths of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson last year. The FIA intends to introduce a cockpit protector in 2017 but the ‘halo’ concept and prototype devices were met with mixed responses from drivers, as well as teams and fans.
Do you prefer this design or the ‘halo’? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Please! Just stop messing around! Im like almost crying here!
This one looks much, much better! But the Ferrari-design isn’t bad too… I even don’t understand the hate ‘bout the new halo design. I mean the F1 cars get better and better every year. Remember in the 70’s, there were 6 wheeled F1 cars or remember the f*cked up ‘fan-car’ of Lauda :D I can’t imagine the hate back in the days :D
Nope, fans apparently liked those days better. They claim that Mercedes domination is boring but then celebrate the days when the McLaren MP4/4 won 15 out of 16 races. Honestly I’ve never seen anyone complain more about something than people do about F1 these days. If people would just shut up and watch it, they would see it isn’t that bad. And in 30 years when sports cars still exist thanks to the tech developed in today’s F1, you won’t see a single person complaining. Rant over.
They need a fighterjet cockpit with missiles and miniguns to shoot at each other. That would surely make it a lot more interesting
This is even worse, an efing windshield?!
Im no aero expert, but ive got a feeling the whole shape of the car will change if these became mandatory.
It will change the airflow over the whole car.
I still dont understand this whole fascination with putting head protection in most drivers barely have any of there head sticking out of the cockpit as it as now. they are trying to prevent injuries from an accident that happened once. They need to realise motorsport isnt a safe sport inherently. they need to realise things happen and they cant prevent it all from happening.
Like to think my fyp design maybe a little more attractive
Back end of the cockpit reminds me of the 2 eleven
looks better than Ferrari’s
So much better than just the plain flying halo