Ed Carpenter Racing
General
Aeroscreen makes a big change in the driving behaviour of the car
- GPblog.com
IndyCar's Aeroscreen, co-developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies, made its racing debut this weekend on the oval of the Texas Motor Speedway, which took some getting used to. Not only for the commentators, who can't see the drivers' helmets anymore, but also for the drivers themselves, who had trouble getting used to the new handling of the car.
IndyCar's Aeroscreen is essentially just a halo like Formula 1 and the transition there went virtually unnoticed by the drivers. However, with the high speeds the drivers reach in the bank of the oval, the cars in Texas felt quite different from last year. Partly due to the fact that the corona crisis did not allow much testing.
Less grip causes slow times
Josef Newgarden, who took pole position and eventually finished third in the race, said after the race that he had trouble keeping the car on the track for almost the entire race. Because of the extra weight placed quite high and at the front of the car, there was much less grip, even with the extra downward pressure that can be added during the race. The screen also ensures that the car is naturally somewhat 'smoother' and therefore generates less downward pressure.
This lack of grip was also reflected in the speeds. Last year Takuma Sato managed to reach pole position at an average speed of 355 kilometres per hour, while Scott Dixon didn't go beyond 347 kilometres per hour this year.
By the way, the drivers have nothing to complain about. Both Newgarden and team mate Simon Pagenaud commented afterwards that they had lost sight of the screen on the car and they are especially happy that their heads are now better protected.