F1 | Federation opposes teams: Halo promoted starting in 2018

Sensational twist in the Strategy Group held today in Geneva: despite the wishes of the teams, the International Automobile Federation has promoted the use of the Halo safety system starting from the 2018 season. An unexpected novelty given that all the teams, drivers understood, they had rejected a solution of this type. Reasons? Quite simple: poor visibility from inside the single-seater (the central monopylon is positioned right in front of the driver's head. Ed.), difficulty in exiting the cars quickly and a design that is not very attractive in the eyes of enthusiasts. One of the topics of today's meeting was the use of a head protection system, especially after Sebastian Vettel's rejection of the Shield.

Despite eight votes against, the FIA ​​has chosen to bypass the teams, imposing the use of the system as early as the next 2018 season. The Regulation, in fact, provides for a procedure of this type only in safety situations, which is why Jean Todt&Company succeeded to get the better of the teams, imposing the Halo as early as 2018. The innovation will obviously have to be ratified during the next World Motor Sport Council, but the feeling is that we are moving towards approval against the teams' wishes. We will see how this situation will evolve and above all whether there will be a strong stance taken by teams and riders.

Roberto Valenti