FIA New Standard Helmet Reveal

New Ballistic helmet

The first race-ready version of Formula 1's new ballistic-tested helmet concept that all drivers must use next season has been unveiled by Italian company Stilo.

The new design, which is the result of nearly a decade of research by the FIA since Felipe Massa's crash in qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, is aimed at helping take driver head protection to the next level.

The current zylon forehead protection area is replaced with a fully integrated extension of material – which results in the top edge of the helmet face opening moving down by 10mm.

This new toughened part will increase energy absorption in the event of an accident by up to 25%, and has been tested to withstand a 225g projectile striking a driver at 250km/h. The helmet has also undergone extensive military ballistic testing.

With Stilo's first version of the helmet having recently been completed, a visibility test was undertaken by Valtteri Bottas in first free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.