Red Bull halo alternative doesn't 'destroy' F1 DNA

Red Bull's alternative to the 'halo' cockpit protection concept would be better for crashes like those suffered by Fernando Alonso in Melbourne. That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, even though the newly-unveiled alternative championed by Red Bull has already been ruled out by the FIA.

But that was before Alonso's McLaren-Honda rolled and flipped through the Albert Park gravel, coming to rest upside down and re-firing the 'halo' debate. "In the event of Alonso being hurt or the car catching fire, the halo system would certainly have been a disadvantage," Marko told the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV.

In Melbourne, Red Bull revealed for the first time images of its alternative approach; a windshield concept that leaves an open top for the driver to escape from. Indeed, Marko claims that after a crash "the driver can get out by himself", and said that in a crash like Felipe Massa's in 2009, "halo would have in no way prevented the consequences of the accident".

Otherwise, the Red Bull concept "offers similar protection" to the halo, Marko argues, "but the DNA of formula one is not completely destroyed". "The only drawback," he added, "is the windshield in the event or oil or dirt" compromising visibility.

Massa, however, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport that he believes the Red Bull concept might compromise visibility when a driver is looking left or right due to the two pillars. Red Bull has confirmed that the concept has at least been handed to the FIA for analysis. "With the various working groups and the like, my guess is that one of the two systems will come," said Marko. "In terms of aesthetics, most people are on our side." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar