IndyCar | Here is the updated aeroscreen: lighter and more resistant

In recent decades, the issue of driver safety has become increasingly important, with continuous updates to make single-seaters increasingly safe and reliable. Recently, attention has focused on the open part of the cockpit, introducing solutions that help protect the driver's head.

Since 2018, Formula 1 has introduced the Halo, a device that has already saved several lives in recent years, while IndyCar has chosen a different path, focusing on the aeroscreen. This is a solution that, in reality, Formula 1 itself had also tried at Silverstone in 2016, later deciding to discard it in favor of the Halo.

To create the aeroscreen, IndyCar collaborated with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, in order to introduce it in time for the start of the 2020 season, thus guaranteeing drivers greater safety. The device improves cabin protection with a ballistic windshield anchored to a titanium structure produced by Pankl. Clearly, IndyCar immediately imposed its use on all teams, regardless of the type of track: whether they are ovals, permanent road courses or temporary street circuits, its use is expected on all tracks.

However, there is always room for improvement, given that it was only a first version that needed some modifications to make it even safer and, above all, comfortable for the riders. For this reason, on the occasion of the Grand Prix in Long Beach this weekend, version 2.0 will debut, renewed in many of its aspects.

“One of the goals of version 2.0 was to save weight. We took the opportunity to make the styling more attractive, improve rider ventilation and make the thinner polycarbonate equally strong,” said Tino Belli, director of aerodynamic development IndyCar. The new layer of polycarbonate will in fact go from 9 to 6 millimetres.

The new aeroscreen has a more elegant appearance and at the same time has reduced the weight by around two kilograms, from 8.5 kg to 6.5 kg. Added to this is the new 3D printed titanium structure, which was already imposed at the beginning of the season: the new “frame” has the same resistance as the previous one, but a lower weight.

The new version will be lighter and will also be equipped with air intakes to improve the passage of air inside the cockpit, thanks to an upper duct that directs the air towards the driver's chest. These openings are 3D printed in rubber in order to avoid hand injuries in the event of an accident. In fact, pilot feedback on the original aeroscreen design also indicated the need for more cooling.

Aeroscreen safety innovation on NTT Data Honda

Photo credit: IndyCar

Following an evaluation to look for areas of improvement to make the aeroscreen lighter, a key area emerged for the addition of pilot cooling vents, which could be added without a significant redesign.

“We now have a space that could have been eliminated on the old aeroscreen to create an air intake that reaches under the titanium upper frame and is channeled downwards to blow air towards the rider's chest.” In the first version, the engineers were not sure how much viewing space the pilots needed, so they optimized the transparent polycarbonate layer also in height. Over the years we realized that it was not necessary, so now it was decided to also use that area to create two additional air intakes in addition to the lower one. Furthermore, to prevent dust, dirt and gravel from entering the passenger compartment from this opening, an optional filter can be added in addition to the characteristic honeycomb mesh.

The introduction of the new aeroscreen comes ahead of schedule, as it was scheduled to debut next month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With enough supplies for the entire paddock on hand, IndyCar officials decided to bring everything forward to Long Beach.