Ham fears over safety delays
LEWIS HAMILTON has warned the sport’s bosses might live to regret their decision to shelve an important new safety system.
The world champion said he prayed no-one gets hurt after the shock decision to put back to 2018 the introduction of the cockpit fence halo device.
After years of lobbying and development the equipment won drivers’ backing – only to be halted on Thursday after the sport’s leading figures decided it needed more development.
“I don’t really know why it’s not going to be there next year,” said Hamilton.
“I said if we are unfortunate enough to have an incident in next 18 months and knew we had a solution for it that would have helped, we would really be kicking ourselves.
“Well we won’t – but they will.
“They have a solution that does help, the FIA has done a great job for the last 20 years improving safety. It doesn’t look great, we know that.
“I hope in that space of time we do have it and can afford it, and no-one including myself gets injured.”
The defending champion, now six points ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, will start today’s race from second on the grid after a crucial error on his final timed run in qualifying.
But Hamilton insists he is not downhearted and has his sights on victory.
“I’m not down as I have got a race to win,” he said.
“I didn’t deliver. That is something I have to deal with. There is nothing I can do about the past – and so I am moving forward.”