Red Bull drivers try out alternative 'halo' concept

Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat have tried a mock-up of Red Bull's alternative to the 'halo' cockpit protection concept. Unlike the chicken wishbone-style 'halo', the Red Bull alternative is essentially an open-topped canopy protected by a forward-facing, bulletproof windshield.

Felipe Massa recently questioned whether the side supports would compromise visibility when drivers are cornering, but after sitting in an early mock-up at the factory Ricciardo said: "I didn't find the visibility too bad. "The struts are about where the mirrors are. I haven't sat in the Ferrari (version) obviously but I just think our system covers a larger area."

Force India's Nico Hulkenberg is no fan of covering the cockpits, but he revealed on Thursday: "I like the Red Bull solution better. Also because there is the shield, so we would be better protected from smaller parts." Also with 'halo', the issue of driver extraction has been raised recently, particularly after Fernando Alonso quickly escaped from his wrecked McLaren-Honda in Melbourne.

Ricciardo said: "I didn't find it too hard to get out of the car (with the Red Bull alternative). I think with our version Fernando could have gotten out ok." Teammate Kvyat added: "Our system is better than halo. But the windshield is a question mark if for example the car in front of you loses oil." Asked what solution there might be for that problem, the Russian smiled: "I don't know. I would suggest leaving the cockpits open!" (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 628
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 193
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar