Formula 1

FIA confirms Halo still on schedule for 2018 introduction

Published Mar. 23, 2017 1:40 p.m. ET

Adam Cooper

The Halo cockpit protection system is still on schedule an introduction for 2018 – but a final decision will be taken at the end of April, when next year’s technical regulations will be finalized.

However, FIA race director Charlie Whiting didn’t rule out an alternative system being introduced at a later date, if it proves to be superior to the Halo.

“It is still on track,” he said of the Halo. “It was agreed by the Strategy Group and the F1 Commission that there would be additional frontal protection for 2018. So far the Halo is the only candidate solution that fits the bill.

“We’re working on other solutions for review, and after April 30, which is the cut-off, if something better comes up, then we’ll have to look at how we approach it.”

Whiting confirmed that the Halo will not be seen on race weekends in 2017.

“There won’t be any more use of it in free practice. The purpose of doing it last year was to allow every team and every driver to assess it, which we did all bar one driver I think, so there are no plans to run it any more this year.”

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