FIA to test three more cockpit protection solutions

Andrew Lewin in Austin 25/10/2015 at 09:0025/10/2015 at 13:25

The FIA will test three more cockpit protection solutions next month, with Mercedes working “hand-in-hand” on its halo concept.

In a push to try and protect drivers’ heads, the governing body has been working on potential solutions which could be implemented as early as 2017. A canopy has already been tested and shown to protect a driver from debris, while the FIA also ran tests on its first version of a device which would sit in front of the cockpit.

FIA safety director Laurent Mekies says another three concepts will be tested within the next month, with an improved version of its front roll hoop concept to be testing alongside the Mercedes halo. The final idea is a centreline roll hoop which extends from the top of the roll hoop to a point at the front of the cockpit.

While previously tested concepts have yet to be ruled out, Mekies says the focus is on finding the best solution in terms of protecting a drivers’ head before worrying about the impact it could have on visibility or extraction in an accident.

“We are trying to first find something that does the job, then we will find a way to deal with other matters [such as visibility and extraction],” Mekies said of the tests. "We are looking at a broad range of solutions and trying to learn from each test.

“It will be an impact test mainly, but with different impact angles and impact speeds and so on.”

And Mekies says it is possible a solution could be approved in time for implementation in 2017, with the FIA keen to ensure it can be applied in a number of single seater categories.

“Obviously it’s at the research stage. Nevertheless we have shown some steps that are already done for 2016 if you look at the cockpit side reinforcement. Obviously anything before 2017 is not doable but probably something in 2017 could already be introduced if we get good results. If we don’t get good results then we think the solution could be further delayed.”

GPDA chairman Alex Wurz - who currently races in the World Endurance Championship for Toyota - praised the FIA’s work, saying he personally prefers the canopy concept at this stage.

“All of them are evaluated,” Wurz said. “I think you have to then also see the practical approach of what are you able to do in which timeframe. Obviously the idea would be that the driver is 100% safe which potentially if you just think of flying objects the canopy would be the best solution.

“There would then be other issues to deal with like extraction, fire and all these things which are the next step. That then leads in to this road of solution or that road of solution. So in any case the good thing is that we are here and we all agree that we are doing something and something will be done but like usual you first have to look in to it with research and development. Then together the teams, the FIA - including the drivers - have to come up with the steps to a solution, ideally coming to a higher safety point.

“Personally I prefer the canopy solution.”