Drivers split 50/50 on halo after FIA request

The attitude toward the introduction of the halo cockpit protection concept in 2018 is split 50/50 among Formula 1 drivers, following a request by the FIA.

Additional Frontal Protection (AFP) was originally approved for introduction in 2017 to protect drivers' heads against injury from large objects, with the halo – designed to deflect away big pieces of debris – viewed as the only suitable design at present by the FIA. A number of drivers were unhappy about the aesthetics, but the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) – of which the majority on the grid are members - stated its support for the device being brought in as soon as possible.

Following a meeting of the Strategy Group in July of last year, the FIA agreed to postpone the introduction of a halo by a year to allow further testing, but assured the drivers that it would be implemented in 2018.

While still working toward that target, an FIA spokesman told RACER that the Strategy Group has also "asked the FIA to investigate other solutions which don't have the 'drawbacks' of halo [such as] forward vision, claustrophobia, egress and extrication, [which] have all been cited as problematic by certain drivers."

With work also ongoing to see if a more aesthetically pleasing solution can be found, the FIA contacted 22 drivers early in January "to ensure the drivers were still of the same view" as in July last year. With 16 having responded so far to the FIA's request, the current feedback shows the drivers to be split 50/50, with the FIA spokesman saying "some are clearly against, some clearly in favor and some are sitting on the fence."

A year ago, GPDA chairman Alex Wurz claimed the drivers had unanimously called for the implementation of a halo in order to provide additional head protection. The halo was then trialed by Ferrari during the pre-season before the majority of teams and drivers ran the device during at least one practice session last season.

Among the main concerns aside from aesthetics was how quickly a driver could extract themselves from a car fitted with the halo if upside down after an accident, with such a scenario yet to be simulated.