FIA Needs to Build Consensus for Halo Protection on Formula 1 Cars

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 6, 2016

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During the final week of Formula One pre-season testing, Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen briefly debuted a prototype of the halo cockpit protection being proposed for 2017.

F1 driver Jules Bianchi and IndyCar's Justin Wilson both died from head injuries last year, leading to a push for better head protection. Still, some drivers—including reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton—spoke out against the halo after seeing it on the track.

The last thing F1 needs right now is more public bickering over regulations, like we have seen over the introduction of V6 hybrid engines in 2014. Whether the drivers, fans or commentators like it or not, additional cockpit protection seems a foregone conclusion, based on recent FIA press releases.

If that is the case, someone—preferably the FIA, the sport's governing body—needs to take a more visible leadership role to champion the halo concept and build consensus among the drivers.



Otherwise, we will continue to see the sniping that occurred at the tests in Barcelona.

"You can't sterilise the sport," said Nico Hulkenberg, according to Autosport's Lawrence Barretto and Ben Anderson. "There needs to be an element of danger—I think in a way that's sexy and attractive and it's also what Formula 1 needs."

But Daniel Ricciardo fired back, per Motorsport.com's Jamie Klein, saying the halo, "doesn't change the sport, or the speed of the car—it's just if there are any flying objects, it's an extra bit of protection for us.

"I don't know why he's puffing his chest out for something like that, it doesn't make sense."

The halo is ugly, but Ricciardo is right. The speed of the cars will not change because of the halo, and speed is where F1's risk should come from—not from random tyres or car parts flying down the track.

Over more than 100 years of grand prix racing his...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

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