Formula One has opted to pursue the introduction of the Halo cockpit protection device next year following a meeting of the sport's technical bosses in Monaco on Friday.
Halo was chosen over Red Bull's Aeroscreen solution after technical directors met with the FIA's Charlie Whiting to evaluate the two proposals. The Halo design features a central strut in front of the driver's head supporting a curved protective rim of titanium-strengthened carbon fibre above. The Aeroscreen device, which has not been ruled out for 2018 or beyond, has two supports and a protective windscreen in front of the cockpit.
Although the Aeroscreen's aesthetic design won more fans on its public debut at the Russian Grand Prix, Halo has been under development for longer and was seen as a more feasible solution for introduction next year. The Halo prototype made its debut during pre-season testing this year, but the design will be refined ahead of further tests in late June and a final decision on its introduction in July. Teams will have to incorporate the Halo into their 2017 car designs alongside a raft of regulation changes that were signed off at the end of April.
The recent push for more cockpit protection follows two high-profile deaths in motor sport last year. Jules Bianchi passed away as a result of head injuries sustained in an accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died after being hit by debris during a race at Pocono last year. However, the FIA's has been conducting research into head protection for several years after Herny Surtees was killed by a loose wheel in a Formula 2 race in 2009.