F1 halo debate: teams ‘could miss winter testing’

After the FIA announced in July that the “halo” safety system would be fitted to next year’s Formula 1 cars, the debate over the new cockpit protection system has prompted much reaction within motorsport.

F1’s governing body, said in a statement that additional frontal protection was needed and it had “become clear that the halo presents the best overall safety performance”.

As the countdown begins to the halo’s introduction next year, we look at what it is and why it is such a major talking point in F1.

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What is the halo?

Halo is a cockpit protection device designed to protect the driver from debris. Ahead of its introduction next year, the FIA says it will work on the design with the F1 teams and certain features will be “further enhanced”.

Why the extra protection?

The deaths of Henry Surtees in Formula 2, Justin Wilson in IndyCar and Jules Bianchi at the Japanese Grand Prix lead to calls for improved driver safety. According to First Post, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has push hard for extra cockpit protection in F1 to minimise on-track injuries and fatalities. An alternative protection system called the shield has also been tested, but the FIA opted for the halo has had “far more extensive testing, with every team running it at least once last year”, The Times says.

How have the teams reacted?

When the decision was made to introduce the halo in 2018, there was “opposition from the majority of teams”, according to The Times.

The Guardian reports that Lewis Hamilton has described the halo as the “worst-looking modification” in the sport’s history.

Could teams miss winter testing?

Sky Sports reported yesterday that development work on the halo means some F1 teams may not have implemented the halo in time for winter testing in Barcelona in February next year.

Force India technical director Andrew Green said that design work is behind schedule. “It is going to be a big struggle to get to winter testing," he said. "It’s a big risk teams won’t make it.

“The definition came so late. It was big shock to us all when the shield got overturned and the halo got introduced. Our development time has been compressed into days.”

FIA boss backs yellow jersey idea for the halo

While teams are debating the introduction, one man who has plans for the halo is FIA president Jean Todt.

Autosport reports that Todt is backing the idea of a “yellow jersey” for the halo - which will mean the world championship leader will have a different colour from other drivers.

He also suggested that it could improve car visibility and provide sponsorship opportunities. “There are some clever ideas,” he told Autosport. “I want to see the name and the number of the cars, which we cannot see. So maybe it will be one opportunity to give that - even if I hear already that teams have sold the space to sponsors. So lucky them.”

And what about the fans?

Some F1 supporters have criticised the halo idea, but Todt says fan opinion cannot be compared with the prospect of another fatality.

“Honestly, I don’t care,” he said. “I do care if something will happen and I will realise that we didn’t do something that we could do.

“If you see all the last severe crashes in single-seater racing, they have been around the head. I am sure that other bad incidents will happen, and we need to have a vision to do something beforehand.”