Halo will not be introduced in 2017

A meeting of the FIA’s strategic group took place on Thursday to discuss, among other things, the introduction of the head protection system called Halo. F1 leaders and the directors of the main teams finally decided to postpone it to the 2018 season. « The strategic group unanimously decided that the 2018 season will see the introduction of a frontal cockpit protection for Formula 1 to significantly improve driver safety. » stated an FIA press release.

Several months of Halo system testing had been set up to ensure the protection system was introduced as early as the 2017 season. “It was decided that given the relatively short time before the start of the 2017 F1 season, it would be prudent to use the rest of the current season and the beginning of next year to fully assess the full potential and all options before the final confirmation,” notes the FIA. A meeting was also organized during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend to convince drivers of the system’s benefits.

The strategic group specifies that test sessions are already scheduled for the 2017 season and until the end of the 2016 season. This will include on-track organization during winter testing and during the rest of the season as well as during the first part of the 2017 season.

The meeting of the group highlights the fact that the Halo is the main option but that the study of other devices is not ruled out, far from it. « Although the Halo is the preferred option, there is consensus among members of the strategic group that another year of development may yield other comprehensive solutions. »

Note, however, that the alternative option that was discussed for a time, and which has been studied by Red Bull, is the Aeroscreen, a sort of mini protective windshield.