F1 and IndyCar collaborating and sharing data on cockpit safety

©IndyCar

Formula 1 and IndyCar have gone for different approaches to cockpit safety but the two series are sharing data on their respective programmes.

Earlier this year, IndyCar initiated tests of its aeroscreen concept, with the device enjoying another development test on Monday at Indianapolis with Penske's Josef Newgarden.

Potential visibility constraints on oval tracks deterred the US series from trialing F1's Halo, but its proprietary canopy device has so far received positive reviews from Scott Dixon, who sampled the device a few months ago, and Newgarden yesterday.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel briefly trialed an aeroscreen element in free practice at Silverstone last year, but reported back saying the slightly distorted view made him feel sick.

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While IndyCar is not in the FIA's jurisdiction, Jeff Horton, the series director of engineering, and chief medical consultant Terry Trammel are both members of the governing body's Global Institute for Motor Sport Safety.

Horton revealed that a collaborative relationship between F1 and IndyCar pertaining to cockpit safety was ongoing.

"It's been bi-directional as we've been sharing everything we've been doing with F1," Horton told Autosport.

"They've shared with us, we've both learned from each other, it's a good relationship.

"There's a group of us that communicate quite often, and we have regular quarterly meetings as well.

"We understand the loading and the good and bad of the halo, they understand the same with us with the windscreen."

Horton underlined the fact that cockpit protection has been at the forefront of both IndyCar and F1's safety concerns for some time.

"Frontal protection had been on everybody's mind - Dallara are the producers of Haas F1 cars so they've been dealing with the halo," he said.

"So all of us had been talking about that for a long time, so it's [cockpit protection] been on the list for a long time in worldwide open-wheel racing."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.