Breaking news
Formula 1
Revealed: Red Bull's alternative Halo gets support
One of Red Bull's rivals has backed the more 'futuristic' concept behind the team's alternative Formula 1 Halo, ahead of its first planned test next month.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Mar 15, 2016, 11:39 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
Although Ferrari has already run an FIA-preferred open structure, Red Bull wants to experiment with a different solution that features an acrylic canopy.
Giorgio Piola's exclusive drawing above provide a concept image of what the design – which features two side supports to the side of the nose rather than one in front of the driver – could look like.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Motorsport.com earlier this month: “It is a more of a canopy – open topped. So is effectively like a bigger windscreen.
"It is more elegant and hopefully offers better visibility. So let's see what the FIA think of it."
Williams support
Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams said that on visual terms, the Red Bull version was her preferred one.
“I really like Red Bull's jet fighter concept,” she said. “If we are going for these new racing cars that are supposed to look futuristic, put a jet fighter type thing around it.
“I think that is exciting. But then you have to worry about water and condensation and all that kind of stuff. So it is still a work in progress.”
Horner a 'purist'
Horner is not in favour of the Ferrari concept – which has drawn criticism from drivers and fans.
"Personally I don't like it," he said. "I understand that driver safety is absolutely of paramount importance, but for me I think I am a little bit more of a purist of open cockpit racing that has been there for 60 years - and there is danger associated with that.
"Of course we have to do everything we can to mitigate that. But the protection that is being looked at, the Halo concept, would not have helped Felipe Massa and unfortunately would not have helped Jules Bianchi."
Safety decides
The final decision on which concept will become standard will ultimately rest with the FIA – which is already understood to be fully supportive of the concept tested by Ferrari.
Williams admitted that safety would be the ultimate deciding factor for F1.
“I have obviously seen both proposals,” she said. “They are still in conceptual stage and they are still in full analysis stage with the FIA Institute.
“Most importantly it is which one provides the most safety for the drivers and until that has been determined I am in total support of whichever concept works best.”
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H running the halo cockpit cover
Photo by: XPB Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Perez: Force India podiums 'far away' right now
Next article Merhi not ruling out F1 role yet
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Red Bull Racing
Christian Horner takes cheeky swipe at Guenther Steiner: 'He never achieved an F1 podium'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
8 h
Christian Horner takes cheeky swipe at Guenther Steiner: 'He never achieved an F1 podium'
Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"
Formula 1
Formula 1 13 h
Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"
Latest news
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
5 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
7 h
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 7 h
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
7 h
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe