After months of work behind the scenes, the Aeroscreen, developed Red Bull Advanced Technologies and IndyCar, has made its track debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Team Penske's Will Power and Scott Dixon took to the 2.5-mile oval to go through a series of rigorous checks to evaluate the safety device in real-time.
Checks will include helmet lift, handling, buffeting and cockpit temperatures as well as behaviour in a tow.
The structure – which is similar to that of the 'Halo' seen in Formula 1 – is made up of a carbon fibre frame mounted to the Dallara DW12 chassis via titanium pieces bolted to the car, though unlike the Halo, it features a screen.
The polycarbonate screen fills the gaps of the structure in order to provide full protection for the driver from flying debris. There are plans to also introduce an anti-fogging device for cool and wet weather as well as cooling ducts for hotter conditions.
Further tests are expected to come at Barber Motorsports Park and at Richmond Raceway which will see a return to the IndyCar calendar in 2020.
