IndyCar has conducted further tests of its new Aeroscreen at Richmond Raceway, which will return to the championship schedule next year.
Newly-crowned 2019 champion Josef Newgarden had his first run with the new head protection structure which be raced for the first time in 2020. He said he was surprised how little difference the screen made.
“It doesn’t feel that different, to be honest with you,” Newgarden remarked after a day of testing at the 1.2 kilometre oval.
“When I first went out, in my perception of how much grip the car had and how much control I had in the car, was slightly different. But I think that was because it felt foreign. You’re not used to having a screen over your head.
“But after 20, 30 laps when you got used to it, the car feels very similar as far as the way I drive the car. The way the car feels compared to a place like Iowa or Gateway, it feels very similar.”
The Aeroscreen, which was developed by Red Bull Technologies, adds around 25 kilograms to the car, which raises its centre of gravity. However Newgarden said it has not made a dramatic change to the car’s handling.
“From a tuning standpoint, did not take much to get the car back into the correct window as far as the balance. I think the balance is still very good, even with the screen on. From that standpoint, I don’t think the cars are going to change dramatically going into next year.”
That is one mean lookin’ 🚀!
Can’t wait to jump in and see what @RichmondRaceway is all about! #RISEABOVE | #INDYCAR | @Team_Penske | @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/YgxvSgMwHm
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) October 15, 2019
Image: Josef Newgarden via Twitter.
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maiagus
16th October 2019, 12:44
I dont know if it works, but it looks nice
StefMeister (@stefmeister)
16th October 2019, 12:52
It looks OK from the side but really pretty bad from the front.
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th October 2019, 14:02
Though most shots we will see of it won’t be from the front, I do have to agree with you @stefmeister,that a frontal view still isn’t great.
For the rest it looks a bit like a leaned out IMSA/LMP, which I personally don’t think is a bad look, especially with the safety advantages it seems to offer, but that is likely to be quite subjective.
Don
16th October 2019, 13:41
The Penske looks pretty wild with the screen painted (wrapped) on top. I’m sure things will look considerably better by the time next season rolls around and the teams play with the livery schemes. I’d love to see the view front on to see if that changes the optical illusion of it being flat, which it isn’t.
This is a quantum leap for drivers safety! Pretty certain you’ll see this on the next F1 cars. Thank you all involved.
Craig Simons
16th October 2019, 14:19
Actually I feel the halo looks nicer than this travesty. Like, A LOT nicer. Something about a giant windscreen on an open-wheel race car just doesn’t work for me.
Ericglo
16th October 2019, 14:26
I agree. If it was such a need for safety, then why has it taken them this long to adopt it? When do they say it needs protection for the wheels? Before you know it, the cars will look like sports cars.
Don
16th October 2019, 23:13
It has been discussed in IndyCar for some time but timing is probably due to the quality and cost of the optics now. Obviously there can be a lot of flying debris with high speed oval crashes. It will excel for them. Whether on IndyCar road or street courses or ovals, the increase in driver protection is huge.
F1 will incorporate this in the 2021 car design. What driver wouldn’t want the extra protection?
Ericglo
17th October 2019, 5:23
Then just go ahead and enclose the cockpit and put fenders on it.
ColdFly (@)
16th October 2019, 17:35
It almost looks like an LMP car with the wheels are almost covered and the cockpit all but closed.
I’m glad F1 is not going in that direction (yet).
eljueta (@eljueta)
17th October 2019, 7:53
@coldfly exactly what came to my mind, looks like the LMP1 Porsche with the top cut off.
Qeki (@qeki)
16th October 2019, 21:00
Agree. Put googly eyes on the windscreen and you have a living version of cars 2..
Pat Ruadh (@fullcoursecaution)
16th October 2019, 22:23
I’m in the opposite camp, think it looks badass.
Has a much nicer flow to it and looks way more integrated and aggressive than the slapped on halo. I hope F1 does something similar
@HoHum (@hohum)
16th October 2019, 22:46
Lewis H’s loss of mirror in Suzuka should guarantee that F1 will adopt this screen soon. Looking on the bright side; the extra weight and (for some) detrimental aesthetics may be balanced out by the drivers potentially being able to return to open face helmets.
F1 Codger
18th October 2019, 0:00
Open face helmets? It depends how much you value your good looks, an intact jaw, eye sockets and sight. Driver protection is all that matters.
pSynrg (@psynrg)
17th October 2019, 13:04
It looks like it’s just missing the eyes for a supporting role in the Cars 4.
NS Biker (@rekibsn)
17th October 2019, 23:52
Yep, McQueen would love it. Possible romance opportunity for Cars 5.
There should be some aero effect from the screen and partially enclosing the cockpit.
I suppose the next thing will be teams punching holes in the floor or adding strategic vents to increase down-force.
At 25 kg, it is probably close to the Halo. Of course F1 would have to double up with the Halo and the Screen.
My bet, 2021.