The FIA has told team bosses that it wants to introduce head protection for 2017, with drivers said to be in favour of the idea.
Last week F1 technical chiefs met to discuss plans for increasing head safety in Formula One, following a number of deaths from head injuries across the sport including Jules Bianchi, who died from his injuries last year.
Alexander Wurz, chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association said drivers are “happy” that there had been an agreement over the proposed head protection ideas.
“Obviously the drivers are happy that the technical team representatives agreed for the additional head protection to come in for 2017.” Wurz told BBC Sport.
“We will now enter the design phase, where the drivers need to be open to a slightly different visibility spectrum due to the additional structure.”
For the moment, the halo design has been favoured by the FIA, but ideas such as a protective screen have also been talked about and could be a possibility beyond 2017.
Some have pointed out that the halo design may lead to difficulties with visibility as the current proposals include a single strut that would sit directly in front of the driver’s cockpit. However, the FIA believes this device has the fewest side effects of any of the ideas so far.
The FIA feels that the ‘halo’ device would meet the requirements it has set, and wouldn’t compromise other areas too much.
