Safety is always a big priority and with the introduction of the Halo this year the FIA looks to further improve upon the safeguarding of the drivers with new regulations regarding helmet manufacturing.
In the past week, news broke out that for 2019 a new standard of helmet design is to be mandatory in Formula 1. This new evolution of the helmet aims to improve ballistic protection, impact tolerance and increase driver safety even further. The new helmet design by BELL appears less shapely than past helmets and does not look as sleek. The visor is now smaller reducing the area of exposure to the driver, and the chin guard looks to be further pronounced. Whether we see the current zylon visor strip protection adorn this new generation of helmets is yet to be confirmed. But there has been hints to see an evolution on top of the already existing solution providing even more protection than what was introduced after incidents such as Felipe Massa’s in Hungary 2009.
Other helmet manufacturers Stilo, Schuberth and Arai who are yet to release images of their new 2019 helmets have worked closely alongside the FIA through the development process to ensure the safety and design regulations put in place are ready for their drivers next season. Firstly, introduced in Formula 1 for 2019 and then will be mandatory in series across the world over the next few years.
Throughout the years of Helmet evolution and development we have seen many shapes and sizes. What’s your opinion on the new Helmet designs looks? Do you have a favourite Helmet shape/manufacturer? Possibly a favourite Helmet design from the history of F1 or series alike. Post a comment below and join in the discussion.
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