Ricciardo welcomes F1’s enhanced head protection
LONDON: Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo believes that Formula One racers will gain from the increased head protection starting from 2017.
The sport’s governing body Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has told the various teams about its plan of introducing a device called ‘halo’ which has been specially designed to protect driver’s heads from airborne debris.
“It’s not taking away anything from the driver in terms of courage or anything like that. It’s a simple little benefit that we can all gain from and no-one wants to see another fatality,” Ricciardo was quoted as saying by the BBC on Friday.
In 2015, French racer Jules Bianchi passed away nine months after suffering from a crash in which he injured his head severely.
British driver Justin Wilson also died last August after being hit on the helmet by flying debris from another car during a IndyCar Series race in the United States.
FERRARI UPBEAT OVER NEW CAR
LONDON: Ferrari showed off what they hope will be a Mercedes-beating car on Friday with the target of fighting for the Formula One championship right to the end of the season.
While world champions Mercedes had their 2016 car running for the first time at a grey Silverstone circuit for a private filming day, Ferrari revealed their red and white SF16-H car in an online presentation.
“Last year the objective was three victories, we got it. But I think this year we need to push a bit more,” said team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene. “So it’s going to be the championship. At least we would like to fight until the end for the championship.”
SCHUMACHER’S SON JOINS NEW F4 TEAM
BERLIN: Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time Formula One world champion Michael, will be switching teams for the forthcoming Formula 4 season, it was announced on Friday.
The 16-year-old, who had a single victory in his debut season last year and finished tenth overall while racing for Dutch side Van Amersfoort Racing, will race for Italian team Prema Powerteam for the 2016 season, which starts in April.
THE FIA HAS PLANS OF INTRODUCING A DEVICE CALLED ‘HALO’ WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO PROTECT DRIVER’S HEAD FROM DEBRIS