In a joint press conference today, IndyCar and Red Bull Advanced Technologies announced a partnership to design and implement an aeroscreen cockpit protection system in time for the start of the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series season.
Red Bull Advanced Technologies will develop the aeroscreen, which is designed to reduce the risk of driver injury from debris or other objects striking the cockpit area and consists of a wraparound ballistic screen anchored to the cockpit by a titanium framework.
In conjunction with IndyCar's official chassis manufacturer Dallara, they will also work on a cockpit cooling option.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Advanced Technologies CEO and Red Bull Racing Team Principal said: "Since the first prototypes were developed and demonstrated in 2016, the potential of Aeroscreen to improve the safety for drivers in the event of frontal impacts in the cockpit area of cars has been clear.
“This new partnership with IndyCar gives us at Red Bull Advanced Technologies the go-ahead to fully explore that potential, and to deliver a protection system that will help prevent serious injuries and potentially save lives in the US premier single-seater series.
“Over the coming months we’ll be working closely with IndyCar and its drivers to refine and perfect aeroscreen and we’re looking forward to seeing the results on the cars in 2020.”
Jan Frye, IndyCar President added: "This collaborative effort on the Aeroscreen truly exhibits an unrelenting commitment and passion for enhancing driver safety.
"We would like to thank everyone at Red Bull Advanced Technologies for creating a design that will be significant in the evolution of motorsports safety not only for the NTT IndyCar Series but from a global perspective.”
IndyCar is tentatively planning on-track testing of the aeroscreen, once the design is completed, by selected NTT IndyCar Series drivers this summer with the final approved screens delivered to all teams by the autumn.
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