Shortly after that particular incident, there have been calls towards the improvement of helmet-related safety in Formula 1, and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) took immediate action. After several studies and material analysis, the helmets' visors will carry a strip across their top end made of a material called Zylon.
However, the addition has not been made mandatory by the ruling body, as it is still in its developing stages. Vitaly Petrov, Jarno Trulli, Sebastien Buemi and Pastor Maldonado, whose helmets are all manufactured by Bell, are the only drivers who are currently using the strip.
Zylon is similar to Kevlar, and its most commonly-known use is in the fabrication of bulletproof vests. In addition, the material is also used by NASA for their Mars rover. Zylon is no stranger from Formula 1 use either, as its current use is for the construction of wheel tethers and cockpit lining.
“We've added about 70 grams to the visor, but we have doubled its impact performance,” confirmed the FIA's technical advisor Andy Mellor.
According to reports, the stripe will become mandatory in Formula 1 once testing will be completed and F1 helmet makers Arai, Schuberth and Bell will all be supplying it as standard.
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