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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Increased Radio Restrictions - What's Allowed?

With the new radio restrictions coming into play in Melbourne, drivers may have felt more alone than ever in the car. For some – the now iconic “leave me alone, I know what I’m doing” springs to mind – this might be a welcome relief, but a lot of people, both on and off track, fear the restrictions might have gone too far.

The driver must drive the car unaided, say the sporting regulations. Well, what does that actually mean?

There are now 31 things the drivers can be told from the pit wall whilst they’re in the car. And that’s pretty much it. Those are listed below.

The FIA brought in these restrictions to make sure the drivers get as little assistance as possible from their engineers back in the garage, following the technical advances that have been brought in over the years. They say this will make the driver more in control of his own race.

Whilst almost everyone wants drivers to be drivers and not puppets for the engineers – well, maybe not the engineers who stress over what the driver needs to be doing to win the race – a lot of people think the restrictions may have gone too far, with Red Bull’s Christian Horner saying the clamp down is bad for the fans and Mercedes Toto Wolff saying it will lead to more errors.

However, Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting told Autosport the restrictions is the only way to stop the “intolerable level” of coaching from the pit wall.

“The main point is the driver should be doing things. He should be driving the car and he should be doing the things a driver is normally expected to do.”

What can they say?

1. Indication of a critical problem with the car

2. Indication of a problem with a competitor’s car

3. Instructions as to when to pit

4. Marshaling information (flags, race start aborted, etc.)

5. Make the driver aware of wet track, oil, or debris in certain corners

6. Instructions on swapping places with other drivers (whether the driver wants to hear this or not is another matter…)

7. Acknowledgement that a driver’s message has been heard.

8. Lap or sector time information

9. Lap times of a competitor

10. Gaps to a competitor

11. “Push hard”

12. Warnings about traffic

13. Gaps between cars in qualifying to help them get into a better position for a clear lap

14. Tyre choices

15. Number of laps a competitor has done on a set of tyres

16. Tyre specification of a competitor

17. What a competitor’s likely race strategy is

18. Safety car window

19. Driving breaches by the driver or a competitor

20. Notification of DRS disabled or enabled

21. Dealing with a DRS system failure

22. Change of front wing position in the next pit stop

23. Oil transfer

24. When to enter the pits

25. Reminders to check for white lines, bollards, or weighbridge lights when entering or leaving the pits

26. Reminders about track limits

27. Passing on messages from race control

28. Information concerning damage to the car

29. Number of laps remaining

30. Test sequence information during practice sessions

31. Weather information

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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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Refueling To Return in 2017

Recently, it has come to light that refueling is set to return to the sport in 2017. The FIA have said the return of the process is all to happen in order to liven up the sport. Discussions on social media sites have brought one thing to light, fans are split.  After scrolling through tweets and posts in social media, it seems to me that you hear fans are opposed to the action, saying that it is reintroducing an unnecessary risk. We've all seen the types of accidents that occurred during refueling. However, long term fans of the sport seem to be set on it being a better idea as they feel the sport has drifted from what it once was.

Long term fans see that the sport has become a health and safety obsessed society, rigged with 'don't do that' and 'you must not...' And feel that any return of any process would be a step in the right direction.

Newer fans, however, see that Formula 1 is the leading pioneer in motoring. It sets the standards in skill, speed and now, safety. After so many fatalities, we live in a world where safety is a number one priority in everyday life. However, it is expected that regulations will be in place of the refueling, in order to make it as safe as possible.

As for the race, this would make it a lot easier for teams to complete a race, fuel worry free. In addition to this, cars would have the option of being lighter and hence, faster. Having said this, pit stops for refueling would be significantly longer. What side are you on? Do you want refuelling back, or do you like the sport the way it is?

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Article Written By: Frances Fry
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