Halo Confirmed For 2018

HALO CONFIRMED FOR 2018

    The “Halo” head protection device is set to be introduced to Formula 1 next season.

    The FIA believes the halo, which all 10 of the current F1 teams have tested, is currently the best option, and has pushed through its introduction at the Strategy Group meeting after the British Grand Prix.

    It has insisted a safety device will be introduced in 2018 and put the other option – the “shield” – on the backburner after its first run last weekend.

    Sebastian Vettel was the first – and so far only – driver to test the shield. He completed only a single lap with the device in free practice ahead of the British GP, saying it made him feel dizzy. The FIA says the shield needs significant development before it can be introduced.

    Many people have criticised the decision, with sources claiming nine out of 10 teams voted against the halo, but the Grand Prix Drivers Association has backed the decision.

     The World Motor Sport Council still needs to ratify the decision.

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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Halo Confirmed For 2017

HALO CONFIRMED FOR 2017

Formula One bosses have confirmed a modified version of the halo head protection device will be run from 2017. The device, which has divided opinions in the paddock, is thought to be the more developed of the two options available at the moment.

    The modified design is expected to be a more elegant design than the one tested by Ferrari already, made of titanium with a smaller central hub. The new design will be tested in June ahead of the planned final agreement in July. Few problems are expected.

    The halo concept was chosen over Red Bull’s aero screen, but work will continue on the second concept with the possibility of introducing it in 2018. The aero screen was unexpectedly poor in the most recent tests, and is yet to go through the free head space test that the halo has already passed.

    Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley believes 2017 is too early to bring in the design, though, saying the halo needs to be fully evaluated before rushing into the decision.

“In my view it’s much better that you do the full evaluation and then come in with a solution that you’re completely satisfied with,” Fernley told Autosport.

“There are gaps. Gaps that springs go through, or manhole covers. So why are you sure that that is the right solution?

“We could bring it in for ’18, having done a full evaluation of the process and that would still meet all the needs of the safety requirement.”

Others, including Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, have backed the FIA’s decision.

“We had another event on Thursday with the drain, and the halo can help in such instances I would expect, so we have another example where it could be very beneficial,” Rosberg told Autosport.

    There’s still an official legislative procedure the halo has to go through before it’s formally adopted, but the FIA can push it through on legal grounds.

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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Head Protection Design To Be Chosen

Head Protection Concepts in F1

So, will it be Ferrari’s “Halo” or Red Bull’s "Aeroscreen" that will be protecting drivers in the future? The debate over cockpit protection in Formula One has raised a lot of questions, but one of the most important of them, which concept will be introduced in 2017, will be answered by July 1st.

Formula One bosses have set the deadline for the cockpit protection concept for the first of July.

Charlie Whiting told Autosport that the plan is to have everything sorted “to the point that the teams can design their chassis” by July 1st. The changes to the 2017 aerodynamic regulations mean the decision will have a huge influence on what the car looks like.

“It would be unreasonable if we didn’t have a clear path by that time,” Whiting told Autosport.

“It’s only a small part of the chassis and it’s not going to affect things like fuel volume and those big things but it’s still part of a complex design process.

“There are different load cases for each deign because the halo has a central mounting and the aeroscreen has two sides on the side and nothing in the middle.”

Only one of the two proposed designs will be implemented and, in the case of the aeroscreen screen, it will be made by one company, so every team will receive the exact same screen.

“Most teams would like to have a single design, whether that is a single source supply or whether it is a design like side impact structures, where the design and lay up are all part of the technical regulations and the teams make their own to that precise design.”

There are still tests for the cockpit protection device, including the “free head volume” which will test how much space the driver has to move his head without hitting the device.

It’s expected we’ll see Red Bull continue to test the aeroscreen in practice at in Spain and Monaco, and Ferrari and Mercedes are free to further test the halo if they request to do so.

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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The "Halo" Concept

The “halo” concept has divided opinions both on and off track, with most drivers coming out in favour of safety over looks whilst others would rather race without the device. Ferrari tested the controversial wishbone design at the second preseason test, the first time the design has been out in public.

The head protection concept was designed by Mercedes: a halo shaped loop which would protect the driver from certain types of debris, held up with a single central strut which would deflect head on impacts.

One of the main concern many pundits have is over visibility. Whilst the binocular effect would make the central beam practically invisible if the driver were looking directly ahead, the wide range of twists and turns Formula One will run through might make the halo a bit more of a problem.

Another concern is whether the halo would make it more difficult to get a driver out of the car following an accident, which could make matters worse instead of safer.

Testing will continue and other devices are being trialled in an effort to increase safety following the deaths of Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson last year.

But, at the moment, who’s for and against?

Sebastian Vettel, who trailed the halo at testing, is very firmly for.

"It's not the picture you are used to seeing for F1," he admitted. "I agree it doesn't look very nice.

"But if it helps increase the safety and helps save lives, there would be at least two drivers who would still be around - Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson - if we had this type of system.

"It can be ugly but nothing justifies not having these two guys around any more."

Williams' chief technical officer Pat Symonds is also pro-halo: "I think it's quite good. I always support us trying to improve safety on the cars. I've never been afraid of things that are different - I don't hold any traditional views of open cockpits or anything like that. I'm perfectly happy with it.

"It doesn't cover everything, but it's certainly a step forward. Whether ultimately a closed cockpit is better, for sure it's going to save someone's life.”

Current world champion, Lewis Hamilton, is less enthusiastic about the device, and argued it should be optional if it is brought in.

"I hope that's not what they bring out, I really do," he said. "But if it is, ultimately it's the drivers' protection so we should have a choice individually - I should be able to decide whether to put that on my car.

"It wouldn't be something I'd choose.

"I like it the way it is now - when I get in the car I know there's a certain risk. Safety is a very important issue for sure, but there are risks that we take and you have to decide how much of a risk you are going to take. I'd rather drive without it and risk it."

Nico Hulkenberg also thought the device would have a negative impact on Formula One.

"Don't do it. It sends the wrong message. F1 is very safe at the moment. It looks horrible, I don't like it and it's just one of these little personal things that I wouldn't like to see it.

"Safety standards in F1 are pretty high and very good, I'd be happy to accept those risks and keep running as we are."

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring

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