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IndyCar, Red Bull introduce Aeroscreen cockpit protection for 2020 and beyond

By Asher Fair

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 24: Helio Castoneves of Brazil, driver of the #3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet drives during Carb Day for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 24: Helio Castoneves of Brazil, driver of the #3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet drives during Carb Day for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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IndyCar has formed a partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and introduced the Aeroscreen for enhanced driver cockpit protection.

A major storyline heading into the month of May for IndyCar was the introduction of the Advanced Frontal Protection (AFP) device, which was scheduled to make its debut in the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval but ended up making its debut two weekends earlier in the IndyCar Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

The AFP device is a 0.75-inch-wide titanium device that is bolted to the car just in front of the open cockpit to knock away debris coming toward a driver’s head.

But IndyCar has made another announcement this morning regarding additional cockpit protection innovation that is set to be implemented ahead of the 2020 season.

IndyCar has formed a partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to design an Aeroscreen. Here is a picture of what the cars are set to look like beginning in the 2020 season with this Aeroscreen.

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The purpose of the Aeroscreen is to protect drivers against the risk of debris or other objects flying into the cockpit and striking them in the head, much like what happened at Pocono Raceway in the 2015 season to Justin Wilson.

Wilson was struck in the helmet by a nose cone from a the wrecked car of Sage Karam, and he passed away the next day as a result of it.

With the titanium framework of this Aeroscreen mounted in three areas around the cockpit, the Aeroscreen somewhat resembles the Halo device that is used in Formula 1, but with a polycarbonate laminated screen effectively enclosing the cockpit, sans protection from right above it.

Here is what IndyCar president Jay Frye had to say about the introduction of the Aeroscreen, according to IndyCar.

"“This collaborative effort on the Aeroscreen between Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Dallara and INDYCAR 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.”"

Here is what Red Bull Advanced Technologies CEO and Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner had to say about the introduction of the Aeroscreen, according to IndyCar.

"“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 U.S.’ 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 race in 2020.”"

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More details about the Aeroscreen itself can be found here. What are your thoughts on IndyCar‘s newest planned safety improvement ahead of the 2020 season?