F1 CARS TO USE SAFETY HALO
FORMULA ONE cars will look radically different next season after the FIA, the sport’s governing body, confirmed that the controversial cockpit safety device known as ‘the halo’ is to become mandatory. Following a strategy group meeting in Geneva yesterday, the FIA revealed that they have given the go-ahead for plans to introduce the concept in 2018. Britain’s triple world champion Lewis Hamilton described the halo, first trialled in winter testing last year and designed to block flying debris, as the ‘worst-looking modification’ in the sport’s history. Hamilton changed his mind following a safety presentation, but the threepronged device has been widely criticised. The FIA are keen to improve drivers’ head protection in the wake of a number of incidents in recent years. They said: ‘It had become clear that the halo presents the best overall safety. With the help of the teams, certain features of its design will be further enhanced.’