The Halo divides the paddock

The FIA ​​announced at the end of the Strategic Group meeting held this Thursday July 28 that the Halo will not be implemented in 2017.

This cockpit protection system has been tested by Red Bull and Team Ferrari testing their own concepts. Opinions differ regarding its installation in the near future, with some pilots being unfavorable to its implementation.

“We do have different opinions, admitted Nico Hulkenberg at a press conference, shortly before the FIA ​​announcement. This is clearly not a good thing from an aesthetic point of view. This is not very attractive, although I must admit that it could have saved lives in some cases. But I think that the F1 is already safe enough and we must keep some danger so that the discipline remains exciting and spectacular. The decision is not in our hands. »

If Rio Haryanto confirmed the Force India driver's comments, other competitors were in favor of its implementation.

“I am in favor of it, replied Felipe Massa, seriously injured by an element that hit his helmet during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. It's not very pretty, everyone pretty much agrees on that. But safety is the priority and I think this would improve it. This system can be optimized, but we will have to get used to it. »

“It will be safer, but the risks will not be lower, specified Daniel Ricciardo. This will not change anything in our driving like when we tackle Eau Rouge (at Spa-Francorchamps) for example. People from the outside who are against it must understand that we will always be pilots that it is a necessary system in the event of a major accident. »

Sebastian Vettel seems to be one of the most favorable to the implementation of Halo and has difficulty understanding the negative reactions on this subject.

“I'm a little surprised because it seems like our wishes for the future are poorly defined, commented the Scuderia Ferrari driver. These comments surprise me... We don't like the look of this system but that doesn't justify death. We learn from accidents on track and we have always tried to improve in terms of safety. (It’s) the first time in human history that we don’t react. It’s up to us to make sure these changes happen. It would be pretty stupid not to. »