Red Bull set to test canopy in Friday practice in Sochi

Red Bull plans on sampling its canopy cockpit protection for the very first time in Friday’s free practice for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.

Called ‘Aeroscreen’, the system features a windscreen supported by two props, which makes it quite different from the Halo concept debuted by Ferrari in pre-season testing and that has a central pillar and no windscreen.

Daniel Ricciardo recently revealed that he had sat in a mockup design at the Red Bull factory, describing visibility as “fine”. It is reported that Friday’s test will include an installation lap to check whether this is still the case when the car is in motion.

The FIA previously said it was on schedule to have the Halo introduced next year regardless of whether a better system appears by then, but Red Bull is clearly pushing on with its in-house concept.

F1’s governing body has been looking to enhance driver head protection for several years, with the deaths of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson making the matter all the more urgent.

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