Here is an artists impression of Red Bull Racing’s alternative to the Halo head protection, first seen in pre-season testing on the Ferrari SF16-H. The image was revealed on motorsport.com and has apparently got the backing of Christian Horner and Williams deputy principle, Claire Williams.

When I saw the image I thought it was a joke of the April 1st variety. But it does appear to be a serious concept that will be tested “next month”. So, let me tell you why don’t I believe in it’s viability:

1. Wet weather

Red Bull have opted for a windscreen canopy as they believe the Halo device Ferrari used would not have benefited Felipe Massa (who was struck by a spring) or Jules Bianchi (who hit a JCB and was tragically killed). I do not believe this concept would have made a difference to Jules as the sheer energy and distance in which his car came to a stop caused his injuries. However, I do admit the screen would have helped Felipe Massa.

The problem is what happens when it rains? There are no wipers, and no amount of “Rainex” solution is going to stop water streaking across that screen and destroying the drivers visibility. It’s a problem drivers have with their visors on their helmets, but at the very least they have their glove to wipes their visors if need be. They will have no control over the visibility of this windscreen if implemented.

2. Oil and other fluids

It’s not uncommon for Formula 1 cars to spit oil and other fluids out the back of their car when out on the circuit, thus caking the car/driver behind if following close enough. The driver behind would have no control over this and would probably have to retire from the session if he couldn’t make his way back to the pits through lack of visibility.

3. Aerodynamics

I think the aerodynamic departments at each F1 team probably spat their coffee out when they saw this concept. I’m not an expert, but I don’t think it takes a genius to see that the air flow caused by the windscreen would shoot a big percentage over the top of the car, and therefore massively reduce what goes into the crucial air box above the drivers head. So that’s power unit cooling in jeopardy, I dread to think what it would do for overall downforce performance having half of a conservatory bolted to the chassis.

4. Side mounted pillars

Mercedes and Ferrari opted for a single, central mounted pillar in their Halo concept on the basis it was widely accepted that two side mounted pillars would interfere with the drivers vision when cornering (think looking ahead to the apex of a corner). Red Bull have opted for the two pillar layout which I’d be surprised doesn’t annoy the drivers.

Remember wings in the photo below were banned on the BMW for impacting the drivers vision? Why is that irrelevant now?

BMW banned twin tower wings

5. Hiding the driver

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome in the design of better head protection is to try and not hide the driver away from the fans. It’s widely considered that drivers are already hidden away enough with higher than ever side protection, the F1 driver is slowly but surely disappearing from view. The Ferrari Halo concept at least keeps the helmet in view, where as the Red Bull windscreen will further hide the driver. Even if the perspex is clear, the weather will impact the visibility either through reflection or dimming in cloudy conditions.

Ferrari’s Halo concept in Barcelona F1 Testing:

Ferrari's Halo concept

Conclusion

So there you have it, I’m far from keen. I couldn’t believe how in favour I was of the Ferrari Halo device when I looked at it side by side with the Red Bull idea. But, let’s wait and see what it looks like in the flesh when it gets tested next month…

What do you think of both ideas? Let me know below.

(All credit for the main article image goes to motorsport.com who broke the story this morning.)

Comments(5)

  1. Reply
    Armando Zapata says

    What would be your proposal?
    It is clearly, yes, that drivers are hiding, but will you keep exposing them to accidents which would involve in head injuries?
    Sorry, not sorry, there’s a living being going at 300 kph in those machines.
    This will happen whether we like it or not 🙁
    Ferrari’s halo is horrible, btw; aesthetically, Redbull’s option is way better.
    Maybe a metal mesh suffice instead of windscreen?

  2. Reply
    n says

    wow all these concepts look like theyve been designed in a grade 6 science contest. f1 a pinnacle of technology? how about a fighter jet style canopy? but then its looking alot like wec. this is indicative of how off the mark and disoriented f1 has become. it was inevitable i suppose as these cars havent really been about being the fastest probably since the seventies or early eighties (limiting rules, engineering etc., grooved tires?wtf over!) but it seems to me that f1’s identitiy crisis is reaching epic proportions. i used to be a race car driver F2000, porsche turbo cup and even ive drifted away for the most part.

  3. Reply
    Karl says

    Poor journalism IMHO all you have done is try poke holes in a design that has come from an f1 team that has some of the best engineers and designers in the business. You assume they have overlooked all the points you make some of which are a reach at best oil and other fluids for one, not impossible but when was the last time you saw a driver get out of the car at the end of the race and see his helmet or suit covered in oil and grime this isn’t the 50’s.

    • Reply
      James Wilson says

      Thanks for your comment Karl. I would have to disagree with you on it being “poor journalism” – it’s not journalism at all and it’s not meant to be either. It’s a blog post with my opinion, which you’re correct, does poke holes in the artists impressions because I’m not keen on it at all. My 5 reasons are all ‘potential’ caveats with the design, not guaranteed reasons why it won’t work. I conclude at the end of the post that we should wait and see what it’s like in the flesh when tested in the future.

      Out of interest, what do you think of the design, and the Halo on the Ferrari?

    • Reply
      James Wilson says

      I wasn’t alone Karl – and Andrew Benson IS a journalist:

      “The screen is one of the biggest potential problems with the Red Bull device – it is unclear whether this would cause visibility problems as a result of collecting debris or in wet weather.”

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35870589

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