<p> Traditionally minded Formula One fans who think this year's step-nosed cars look odd may have to take a deep breath before considering the latest safety concept being tested by the sport's governing body. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Thursday it had tested a forward roll hoop, a metal structure placed right in front of the driver, as part of new measures being assessed to increase cockpit safety. <br /><br />Formula One cars have long had a hoop behind the driver to protect the head in the event of the car rolling over but a forward one would guard against a frontal blow to the helmet caused by a bouncing tyre or debris. <br /><br />The FIA has been considering various radical ideas, including jet fighter-style canopies, since Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa suffered a near fatal head injury after being hit by a bouncing spring shed from a car in front during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. That same year British driver Henry Surtees, son of former Formula One champion John, was killed after being struck on the head by a loose wheel in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch. <br /><br />The FIA Institute published a video (http://www.institutequarterly.com/06-Video.html) showing a test of a titanium front roll hoop, made and supplied by the Lotus F1 team, at an airfield in eastern England. <br /><br />"Shielding their (drivers') heads from debris and impacts is now, arguably, the most critical area in single-seater safety research," said the body in an article in the latest edition of their quarterly IQ magazine.</p>
<p> Traditionally minded Formula One fans who think this year's step-nosed cars look odd may have to take a deep breath before considering the latest safety concept being tested by the sport's governing body. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Thursday it had tested a forward roll hoop, a metal structure placed right in front of the driver, as part of new measures being assessed to increase cockpit safety. <br /><br />Formula One cars have long had a hoop behind the driver to protect the head in the event of the car rolling over but a forward one would guard against a frontal blow to the helmet caused by a bouncing tyre or debris. <br /><br />The FIA has been considering various radical ideas, including jet fighter-style canopies, since Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa suffered a near fatal head injury after being hit by a bouncing spring shed from a car in front during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. That same year British driver Henry Surtees, son of former Formula One champion John, was killed after being struck on the head by a loose wheel in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch. <br /><br />The FIA Institute published a video (http://www.institutequarterly.com/06-Video.html) showing a test of a titanium front roll hoop, made and supplied by the Lotus F1 team, at an airfield in eastern England. <br /><br />"Shielding their (drivers') heads from debris and impacts is now, arguably, the most critical area in single-seater safety research," said the body in an article in the latest edition of their quarterly IQ magazine.</p>
