It’s the most controversial Formula One introduction since the 2016 qualifying elimination clock, but unlike that ill-fated change the halo should last more than two races.
The new cockpit head protection system, to give it its full name, is highly divisive: team principals, drivers and fans are split over whether it is the right safety solution when the new Grand Prix season roars into life in Melbourne this week.
After years of research and development, the FIA settled on the halo — a thong-like titanium and carbon fibre structure above the cockpit — to protect drivers from flying debris following the fatal crashes of Jules Bianchi at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and Justin Wilson in an IndyCar race in the US the following year.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is firmly among the halo haters.
“If you give me a chainsaw I would take it off,” he said at the launch of the team’s 2018 car last month.
“I think we need to look after the driver’s safety, but we need to come up with a solution that simply looks better,” he added.
Motor racing purists are aghast because they say Grand Prix racing is supposed to be an open-cockpit formula; other fans moan it is just plain ugly; some drivers have said it restricts vision.
World champion Lewis Hamilton doesn’t like the halo’s looks but said: “We have known for some time it was coming and I think after a few races we will forget it is even there.”
But Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo complained it makes cockpit access difficult — the Williams team even resorted to stepladders at pre-season testing to help drivers get in and out of their cars.
Toro Rosso driver Pierre Gasly said he had ripped several race suits.
“I don’t like it. It’s just a big mess to get in the car and get out,” he said.
Haas pilot Kevin Magnussen also can’t stand it. “It’s difficult to get into the car, difficult to get out of the car, difficult to get the steering wheel on and off, just awkward and annoying,” he said.
But not all drivers are against the innovation.
“It’s going to save lives, no doubt,” said Williams’ Canadian teenager Lance Stroll.
And two-time world champion Fernando Alonso believes there “should not be any debate” over a measure that improves safety.
The president of governing body FIA Jean Todt said that if the halo saves one life it will be worth it.
“Last year we had 42 fatalities in motor racing. It’s unacceptable,” Todt told reporters in London last week.
“Can you imagine how we would all feel if something happened and if we would have had the halo it would not have happened?”
At least the halo has been well researched, unlike the last rule change to cause as much controversy.
