F1 News, Reports and Race Results

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.

Romain Grosjean column: Haas brought back down to earth

Chris Medland's 2016 Russian Grand Prix preview

F1 technical - How does ERS deployment work?

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Perez reveals how he became Force India's unlikely saviour

Sergio Perez has revisited one of the most extraordinary off-track stories of his Formula 1…

13 hours ago

FIA expands straight-line mode at Spa – as Alonso sounds warning

Formula 1’s return to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend will introduce a striking new element to the…

15 hours ago

McLaren set for Mercedes engine upgrade at Spa and rear-wing trial

McLaren will arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix with a fresh opportunity to reset its…

16 hours ago

Michael bows to Mika on British GP podium

On this day in 2001 at the British GP at Silverstone, Formula 1 fans were…

18 hours ago

Bearman moved to tears after driving Senna’s iconic Lotus

The Silverstone pitlane has borne witness to countless moments of motorsport history, but recently, it…

19 hours ago

Steiner: Time for McLaren to ‘grow up’ and build its own engine

McLaren’s search for answers in Formula 1 has once again turned the spotlight onto its…

20 hours ago