Ferrari will give the new ‘Shield’ cockpit device its track debut at the British Grand Prix next month, it is being reported.
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has been pushing for the introduction of greater driver protection while behind in the wheel, in response to the tragic deaths of several racing drivers in recent years including Jules Bianchi in 2014.
It was hoped a device would be ready for introduction to coincide with the rule changes for this year but it was felt the development of the then-preferred ‘halo’ solution hadn’t progressed enough.
Efforts are now underway to develop the ‘Shield’ concept, believed to be more similar to the aero screen (in the main picture) Red Bull trialled in Russia last year, which is designed to deflect smaller parts, similar to the spring that struck Felipe Massa in 2009, away from the cockpit area.
Early estimations put the first on-track test at around the Italian Grand Prix in September, but now it is believed Ferrari will have the first prototype ready to trial during Friday practice at Silverstone.
Opinions on increasing cockpit protection continue to be wide-ranging with Jolyon Palmer commenting earlier this year: “There’s no group opinion of the drivers, some people seem to think there is, but there’s not. It’s very split, some people want nothing, some people think the Shield is a good idea, some people still want the Halo.
“There’s no real consensus from the drivers, even if some people seem to think there is.”
Another area of debate has centred around the aesthetics of adding such as device, with very few impressed by the look of the Halo. Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas have already claimed the Shield “looks nicer” than the last idea but the jury will still be out until one is seen fitted to an F1 car and circles a racetrack.