Niki Lauda: “The Halo is not the right solution!”
While the FIA confirmed its use starting from the 2018 season, the Halo is already a subject of debate and struggles to win over Niki Lauda, non-executive director of the Mercedes team, who believes it is not the best solution.
The FIA has confirmed the use of the Halo as head protection for drivers starting from next season. Numerous tests have been conducted last year with this system, which is not very aesthetically pleasing but apparently effective.
But already, some voices are rising against this choice, notably that of Niki Lauda, not convinced by the FIA’s decision: “We tested the Halo, Red Bull’s Aeroscreen, and Ferrari’s Canopy as cockpit protection. None of them were convincing at 100%. We need to make the right decision in this kind of situation, and the Halo is not the right solution,” the Austrian said to the German media outlet Auto Motor und Sport.
Lauda is not even convinced that a protection system is necessary. Formula 1 is an increasingly safe sport, but danger is still an integral part of the discipline: « The FIA has made Formula 1 as safe as possible. The danger posed by a loose wheel has been nearly eliminated because now the wheels are more securely attached. The risk for drivers has become minimal. »
The triple Austrian world champion mainly fears that this kind of measure will not really appeal to the public: « We are working hard to bring new fans to this sport with fast cars and by being closer to the spectators, and now we’re ruining all that with too hasty decisions. » concludes Lauda.
