Drivers mixed on Halo introduction

Formula One will introduce the controversial Halo head protection from the 2018 Formula One World Championship.

In January 2016 Formula One racers, via the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association began pushing for the introduction of head protection to Formula One.

The device has a vertical strut support in front of the driver and two arms curl around the drivers helmet towards the back of the car which provides some protection from debris.

It could potentially prevent tragic circumstances such as the death of Henry Surtees who was killed during a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch in 2009. Or more recently Justin Wilson who was killed after he was struck be debris during an Indy Car race.

It’s not clear if it would protect drivers from debris striking their helmet, as was the case when Felipe Massa suffered a head injury when he was struck by a spring that had fallen off Rubens Barrichello’s car during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying. But even if there is even a small chance surely it’s introduction should be welcomed?

‘I’m against it. I don’t think it’s what Formula 1 is about. I think there should be a limit or at least a more clever way to improve the safety, I don’t think the Halo is the right way. And in general, I don’t agree that safety is always number one, I think there is a limit where it gets too safe to be exciting.

‘I think part of the reason Formula 1 is popular is because of the element of danger. It’s moved on huge amount in the last 30 years and that’s been very good but I think its safe enough now where I can say its exciting and it feels right to go racing. outspoken Haas driver Kevin Magnussen told Sky Sports.

Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg said: ‘I’m still going to race – I won’t retire, but I was never a big supporter of the Halo and the additional head protection and I’m still not.

‘…I’m not sure this additional protection is necessary because all the other areas are improving and we’d compromise the looks quite a lot.’

Former four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel said: ‘…For sure, if you look at Formula 1 and the way cars look I can understand people who look and say it doesn’t belong on an Formula 1 car. On the other hand, times are changing, and we’re moving forward.

‘It has the power to give us additional protection, offer that to Justin Wilson some time ago and I think he would take it and I think we would all be happy to take it to help save his life.

Former two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso added: ‘This device can help in many of the fatal accidents that we have had in the last 10 or 15 years, that has been proved by the FIA. If we could go back in time and save our colleague’s lives we would be happy. That’s the first and only thing we should talk about.