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IndyCar sharing windscreen data with F1

15:24, 30 Apr 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

IndyCar has confirmed that they are sharing data they have gathered on the windscreen protection device with Formula One. According to IndyCar director of engineering and safety Jeff Horton, the data gathered on the windscreen device is being shared despite the fact that the FIA seem to be sticking with the halo device.

Although not governed by the FIA, Horton does hold a seat on the FIA's Global Institute for Motor Sport Safety.

"It's been bi-directional as we've been sharing everything we've been doing with F1.

"They've shared with us, we've both learned from each other, it's a good relationship.

"There's a group of us that communicate quite often, and we have regular quarterly meetings as well.

"We understand the loading and the good and bad of the halo, they understand the same with us with the windscreen."

Trevor Carlin, the owner of the Carlin team, has teams in both divisions of motorsport with a team presently competing in F2 and IndyCar and has experience with both protection devices.

"I'm a fan of all types of driver protection," Carlin told Autosport. "So I think both solutions are brilliant in that respect.

"You've got your personal feeling on aesthetics, personally I like the style of the screen.

"But I don't think the screen has been 100% strength-tested as much as the halo has. The halo has exhaustive testing and I think it's a great solution.

"It's just whether the spectators or the purists like it. It's one of those things you just have to get used to.