FIA briefs F1 drivers on Shield cockpit protection

The FIA has shown a new cockpit protection device called the Shield to drivers in China as an alternative to the Halo (pictured).

Following approval of the Halo last year for introduction this season, eventually the device was postponed until 2018 to allow further testing and development as well as driver feedback. A number of drivers are opposed to cockpit protection while others have reservations about the Halo due to the aesthetic impact it has on cars, but following the Aeroscreen concept tested by Red Bull in Russia last year there has been no alternative shown to the drivers.

During the driver briefing in China on Friday night, the FIA delivered a presentation on a similar device to the Aeroscreen, with the Shield a partial canopy featuring a clear material to help deflect debris and small objects away from the driver's head.

Romain Grosjean (pictured above testing the Halo at last year's Brazilian GP) said the new device received a mixed reception, with many drivers still against the introduction of cockpit protection.

"We had the Shield, a little bit on that and then the drivers comment about it, the first ideas, how it's looking and what the difference is to the Halo," Grosjean said, explaining the content of the driver briefing. "Yeah, we gave our feedback.

"My feedback hasn't changed: I'm against Shield, Aeroscreen or Halo. I think Formula 1 is back to where it should be, back to really cool cars, aggressive cars and I don't want to put any stuff on that could destroy what we've just built."

RACER understands the Shield has had limited development and is still far behind the Halo, but the FIA was keen to show drivers an alternative solution ahead of a final decision on cockpit protection for 2018 later this month. Despite it offering a more aesthetically-pleasing solution, one driver told RACER after the briefing that it is still an unattractive solution.