Fraser MasefieldTakuma Sato undertook his first laps in anger behind the wheel of his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda on a wet day of testing at the Circuit of the Americas.
As reported back in early October, the new aero screen will debut in the IndyCar championship this season, and got its first official taste of action at Indianapolis with Will Power and Scott Dixon (pictured) behind the wheels of their respective charges.
What was scheduled as a full day of testing to further put the radical driver safety innovation through its paces, weather intervened to put a dampener on things as consistent rain showers meant derivers were unable to run more than a couple of laps. But there was some benefit of having inclement weather, though, as Power reported water coming through the shield and dripping onto his steering wheel and visor.
.@TakumaSatoRacer takes his first lap with the @IndyCar aero screen.
🏎 @panasonic @Honda pic.twitter.com/DurAa8YTuD
— Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (@RLLracing) February 11, 2020
“Actually, I really wish someone ran in the wet-wet so we could know where all the water gets in,” Power is quoted on motorsport.com. “We already saw areas where the water was getting in. Seems like it needs a lip around the top because water drips in as you drive. Water got in underneath the screen and also dripped in from the top.
“The aeroscreen is great – the rain just clears, and there was no fogging. But the rain does drip in on your steering wheel and on your visor. It would be an easy fix with just a little lip [on top of the screen frame].”
Power has previously praised the benefits of having the Aeroscreen from his successful test at Indianapolis, describing the test as ‘pretty much seamless’. And despite the hiccups reported at COTA, the Australian backed up his sentiments that it’s better to have the screen than not.
“You don’t even recognize there’s a screen there,” added Power. “You’re focused way up there, not what’s right here.”
Craig Scarborough
