Ferrari test halo cockpit solution in Spain, to mixed response - Räikkönen and Rosberg give seal of approval
Published by Christine
Kimi Räikkönen has become the first driver to test out a potential cockpit protection device, with the Ferrari team running the so-called halo head protection in Barcelona. The device involves arches either side of the driver’s helmet meeting in a central column right in front of the driver’s face.
After a very short installation run, Kimi returned to the garage to declare that the visibility, despite appearances, was okay. He said: “We’re a bit limited in the front but I don’t think it’s the final version. There was surprisingly little difference.”
The device has been tested against high speed projectiles and has now run on an actual car, but as Kimi says, it may not be the final design. The FIA’s safety director admits they are accelerating the programme to try and complete a design that will work on the 2017 cars, and Red Bull are reportedly going to test a different concept later in the year.
There were mixed reactions, naturally, but Nico Rosberg was positive about the project, saying: “This would have saved people, so it’s a huge step, definitely needed. With a bit of thinking, it can look cool eventually, so I’m all for it.”
