Calcutta: The FIA revealed a new, innovative design of helmet that will be mandatory from next year. 

The ultra-protective helmet, developed after a decade of research, offers a number of vital safety benefits, including advanced ballistic protection and increased energy absorption, says the F1 website.

Notably the front of the visor has been lowered by 10mm, implemented to increase safety during impact from debris, while the shell itself uses advanced composite materials to ensure resistance to crushing and penetration.

This new standard, called FIA 8860-2018, will first be used in F1 and comes after the Halo cockpit protection system — designed to reduce the risk of injury from debris or other objects striking a driver’s head — was made mandatory this season.

Starting with F1 next season, the new helmet standards will be implemented across other championships as well, the governing body announced earlier this week.

F1 helmet manufacturers Stilo, Bell Racing, Schuberth and Arai worked closely with the FIA throughout the extensive research process and will now begin work on their new designs ahead of next season.

Speaking on the new helmet standards, the FIA safety director, Laurent Mekies said: “The current top-end helmets are already the safest in the world, but the new standard will take them to the next level.”