While the aesthetics of the Halo device have been widely criticised by drivers and fans alike, a new issue has been created through the introduction of the safety device in 2018, with the weight limit of the cars being raised to accommodate for the Halo.
Drivers unhappy with extra weight of Halo device
Although weight reduction has been a key focus of Formula 1, the mandatory minimum weight of F1 cars next season has been raised by 5kg according to Switzerland’s Blick. The cars of the 2017 already weigh 728kg, meaning that next season’s cars will have a minimum weight limit of 733kg.
Due to the weight being increased, many have wondered if drivers will be required to lose more weight in order to reduce the overall weight of the car.
Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted that “You cannot ignore Halo if it improves safety by 17 per cent,” but continued to say that “It just doesn’t look good and the extra weight isn’t good either.”
Carlos Sainz Jr added that “We should not have to be as slim as cyclists just because of the cars.”
Niki Lauda of Mercedes criticised the halo to say that it “destroys the DNA” of Formula 1 although his driver Valtteri Bottas disagreed.
“I don’t think Halo will hurt Formula 1,” revealed the driver to Auto Bild. “It is a safety improvement like so many others in the history of the sport, which is good for us drivers.
“The only drawback is the extra weight, because the heavier the cars are, the less exciting they are,” he concluded.
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