The FIA are still looking into the possibility of finding an alternative cockpit protection design to the heavily-tested halo being introduced in Formula 1. The idea of the halo was initially proposed by Mercedes, and has been further developed fundamentally by Ferrari under the aegis of governing body the FIA, to address the single biggest safety failing of F1 cars.
Red Bull Racing wanted to continue the development last year and further work on the concept of an aeroscreen, but stopped work on it after its initial design did not pas several testing programmes which were help by the FIA. Since then, the main focus has been on the halo, with all teams running the system at some point during Friday free practice sessions last season to better understand the concept. Although the majority of the drivers were in favour of using this system in the future, opinion remains divided among teams and fans about whether or not it should be the chosen solution for the 2018 Formula 1 championship.
F1 deputy race director Laurent Mekies says that the FIA is happy with how work on the halo has progressed although the possibility of a canopy system being introduced should not be completely ruled out for the moment: “No, it’s not dead. Technically, it is still possible, it’s maybe six months, five months away if we wanted to do that. We are waiting for the final word from our bosses to know if they want the halo, if they want the canopy, if they want something in between, or if they want something which is more aesthetically pleasing – even if there is a bigger price to pay. Everything is on the table. There is nothing that we consider impossible right now.” said Laurent Mekies, who joined the FIA as safety director in 2014, as reported by Autosport.
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