'Halo' safety system being introduced in 2018 *UPDATED*

[kals]

The drivers have asked and the FIA has agreed. The 'Halo' system that Mercedes (I think?!) originally suggested has been chosen as the new head safety system that F1 will introduce for the start of 2017.

Here's a reminder of how the system appears



It isn't the most eloquent solution and it won't have helped against the accidents that befell Massa, Dan Wheldon and Jules Bianchi. Arguably it could have helped both Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson.

What concerns me is that there is a need for an extensive R&D program to identify the best way to better protect a driver's head. The study needs to take into consideration actions and factors of more than just the car... meaning the timeline of an accident, when to allow marshals and recovery vehicles onto the live race track, when a SC should be called, what to do when a car is ailing and potentially has pieces about to be shed, and so on... Putting the 'Halo' into production feels a little knee jerk.

I'm all for improving the safety of the drivers and the introduction of this won't affect my passion for the sport. With that said, seeing some comments around the internet you'd think it was the end of the world.

[Antonov]

why all these separate topics? Can't we just keep it in the random discussion?

[ReneLotus]

I think this measure is being rushed into use a bit too fast. I think a canopy would be better than this guillotine-type device, but I am no crash expert.
I doubt it wil actually be implemented in 2017, hopefully because a better solution will have been found. Developing the HANS-system took well over a decade before it was finally used.

[erwin greven]

why all these separate topics? Can't we just keep it in the random discussion?

Topics split of the most significant news stories.

I repeat: Please start a New Topic to encourage discussion. Use this thread for really minor news stories only. Only 2 or 3 members are replying before the subject is changed. This will not encourage (new) members to post.

[Antonov]

OK, just asking. I'll comply

I support kals' opinion - it will change the way F1 looks, but doesn't alter the concept of it being an open-wheel formula.

[Andy]

And the next thing we'll learn right after its introduction is that DRS ain't strong enough anymore and that it will take another/additional boost system to overtake.

[Ian-S]

I wonder what will happen when they get to Spa and realise they can't see over the top of Raidillon from the bottom of Eau Rouge so easily as they could pre-Halo....

[kals]

They'll stick Go-Pro cameras in the nose of the car which live feeds a small monitor in the center of the steering wheel

[PTRACER]

I don't see the purpose of this at all. It's nothing but a joke.

I'd argue with Kieran and say this solution wouldn't have saved any of the drivers killed by head injuries in the last six or seven years. Not even Surtees or Wilson. This will only protect against debris coming directly at the driver's faces. And even then, without a glass screen, debris is still going to get through. The next question - what happens if the car rolls? The driver won't be able to get out until the car is on its wheels. We haven't seen fire from fuel for a long time, but F1 cars do still catch fire. Sometimes they even explode (was it Grosjean at Hungary a few years ago?)

That said, it doesn't do anything to affect the racing. It only makes the cars even fucking uglier.

[kals]

You can argue with me all you like Paul, but first let's get it straight that I said "Arguably it could have helped both Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson" not "would have saved", didn't I?

Other than that I don't think we've much to argue as your points align to this part of my post:

What concerns me is that there is a need for an extensive R&D program to identify the best way to better protect a driver's head. The study needs to take into consideration actions and factors of more than just the car... meaning the timeline of an accident, when to allow marshals and recovery vehicles onto the live race track, when a SC should be called, what to do when a car is ailing and potentially has pieces about to be shed, and so on... Putting the 'Halo' into production feels a little knee jerk.

[PTRACER]

Well, argue in the sense of a critical response, not in an angry kind of way

As for R&D, aside from the canopy test they performed with a tyre a few years ago, this is completely untested and unmodelled in every way. The F1 teams' Aerodynamics departments must be going bloody crazy at the idea. I would put my money down on it not happening. They only have until 11th Feb to decide the rules for 2017 and that is all way too soon.

[kals]

Completely agree with you, both on us arguing and the R&D. One has to wonder whether there is an ulterior motive behind this.

[Everso Biggyballies]

One has to wonder whether there is an ulterior motive behind this.

Cue flexible halos /movable aero devices conspiracy.....

[PTRACER]

Of course there's a motive. It's to show the world how cutting edge and progressive F1 is.

Fans have been jumping ship for the last decade; fewer people than ever go to the races and half of the races can't be watched on TV for free anymore. Mark Webber hasn't held back on criticisng F1 since he quit. And how many of the BIG sponsors are taking their names off the cars lately?

Meanwhile, Jaguar have snubbed F1 for Formula E, Aston Martin have openly said WEC is better for showcasing their technology, and some news which has slipped past a lot of people - Manor Motorsport is entering an LMP2 team this year and will be entering Le Mans for the first time.

All of this is a big fuck you to F1.

[Everso Biggyballies]

some news which has slipped past a lot of people - Manor Motorsport is entering an LMP2 team this year and will be entering Le Mans for the first time.

All of this is a big fuck you to F1.

Just to clear any confusion, 'Manor Motorsport' is Graeme Lowdon and John Booth, the two that resigned from running the F1 team they had set up, and not the actual Manor F1 team. Best of luck to them.