12/07/2016
NEWS STORY
As his team ran the controversial device at Silverstone, Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits the team would likely vote against the introduction of the Halo device next year.
While the FIA is keen to introduce the Halo device in 2017, the latest move to improve the sport's safety, many are still unhappy with the controversial device. Though most drivers are in favour of it, a number, most notably Lewis Hamilton, are against, whilst, as ever, the teams are taking a political approach.
Though the latest incarnation of the device, as run by Pierre Gasly on the RB12 this morning, is not as intrusive as when first unveiled, there remain doubts both from the aesthetic and practical point of view.
After running it on Friday during FP1, Sebastian Vettel expressed unease at the lack of visibility offered.
Meanwhile, Christian Horner has admitted that when it comes to a forthcoming vote, Red Bull would probably vote against feeling that more work needs to be done.
"Personally I'm not a big fan of the halo," he said. "I think it's an inelegant solution to the problem that it's trying to deal with.
"I'd prefer there to be more research time taken to do the job properly," he admitted, "rather than rushing something through that may have other consequences. So I'm not a big fan of the halo and the limitations that it has. I certainly wouldn't vote in favour at the moment."
Such a move would be enough to block the device's introduction next year as such a move requires the agreement of all the teams - a rarity in F1.
Whilst there is a 'safety clause' which would allow the FIA to overrule the teams, the most likely move would be to delay the Halo's introduction to 2018.
Of course, Red Bull has devised its own Aeroscreen, which was seen on Daniel Ricciardo's car in Sochi, and which, following a lukewarm response by the FIA, has been put on the back burner as the Austrian outfit claims it has better things to do with its resources.