The controversial ‘halo’ received quite a bit of opposition during its development phases, but has now become an accepted part of multiple single-seater categories.
McLaren technical director James Key says this can be compared to the current opposition teams are bringing to bear on the FIA for wanting to change the ground regulations for the 2023 season in a bid to stop porpoising .
Several teams have opposed the currently proposed changes, although McLaren is in the group that has accepted them. “I’m going to draw maybe a little weird parallel to the Halo here,” Key said. “The Halo is obviously a totally different project. And in terms of the magnitude of pilot safety, we know it’s very significant.”
“And now look, a few years after its introduction, how grateful we are after seeing some of the things that have happened on the track. This is something totally different and yet similar.”
“We are going to reach an agreement. I think that basically, it does generate some kind of risk, it does not contribute anything to the category. Why not do the most sensible thing for security reasons? Because that is the main concern.”
Key assured that Formula 1 cannot trust the teams to solve the problem, since it is the FIA’s responsibility to act when there is a problem that involves security reasons.
“Obviously the teams are going to work on this. But if you are the FIA, and you do nothing, after turning things around and creating new cars, it is true that it is very difficult to simulate and predict porpoising , but more or less the less we know there are ways to get rid of it.
“But it can come back quickly with some development or if you increase downforce. So instead of taking that risk, I think from the FIA’s point of view it makes sense to try to eliminate the problem completely, because that way they also show that They are taking it quite seriously after listening to the drivers’ concerns.”
“I’m not saying it’s negligence not to do it, but you have to be careful. You can’t take it for granted that the teams are going to do it. And it may not be everyone’s priority either, while for them these things are their priority.” .
Key highlighted that the teams have been involved in the discussion of possible changes with the FIA , mainly through the technical advisory committee.
“It’s been a very open discussion. It always is, especially on safety issues. I think the FIA has recognized a kind of growing concern for the welfare of the drivers, and the possibility of something happening because of a car that is bouncing around excessively in a high-speed corner or something like that, there are risks in that.”
“And they took that kind of thing very seriously and they were 100% committed to the drivers and the teams, as they always do. And, yes, there have been proposals in both directions in terms of what we could do to try to find a general majority consensus, what would be effective, rather than whether or not we should do it.
“For me, if you have a security issue, you can’t go back and say it’s not really a problem anymore. I think you have to thoroughly investigate it and make sure the right decisions are made.”
“Obviously, it doesn’t add anything to the series. And we are in favor of getting rid of it, so that we can all continue to develop the cars in a slightly safer environment.”
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