If any racing driver is entitled to express his opinion on safety in motor racing, it is three-time world champion Niki Lauda, who not only survived a horrific crash at the Nurburgring that saw him given the last rites, but came back weeks later to resume his epic title fight with James Hunt, and several years later claim a third drivers' title.

Though never an active campaigner for safety like Jackie Stewart, the Austrian fully appreciates that the sport must take whatever steps are needed to ensure driver, and spectator, safety.

Nonetheless, he fears that the Halo, to be introduced next season, is a step too far and that it compromises the DNA of the sport.

"We tested the Halo, the Red Bull Aeroscreen and Ferrari's Shield as a cockpit protection," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "None has convinced 100 percent.

"You have to make the right decision in such a situation," he added. "The halo is the wrong one.

"The FIA has made Formula One as safe as it gets," he insists. "Also the danger of flying wheels is largely eliminated, because the wheels are always more firmly attached. The risk to the drivers has become minimal.

"We are just trying hard to get new fans for the sport with fast cars and getting closer to the spectators, and now this is destroyed by an overreaction."

The Shield, which the FIA opted for after initially pushing for the Halo, was dropped after just one public trial, Sebastian Vettel claiming that it made him feel dizzy.

Earlier, this week, at the Strategy Group meeting, despite the fact that of the ten teams only Ferrari was in favour, the FIA forced through the introduction of the device next year on safety grounds.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Stitch431, 23/07/2017 10:03

"Either the FIA has shares in the HALO (Todt promoted this device as if it were his own idea). Or they are frightened for other reasons (legal cases?). In any case, this does not do the sport any good. If all but one team are against it, can't they just refuse to drive with it? Or lies the solution with Liberty Media, who can decide to just get out of the FIA? What are your thought on this?"

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2. Posted by mickl, 22/07/2017 13:06

"@Rhaycen It's a debate as to whether something like a halo or shield would have prevented or lessened any of the injuries of past accidents but without being seen to implement something and potentially sanctioning unsafe cars, it wouldn't stop the ambulance chasers from trying to make money out of the FIA.

Personally I think there should be optional whether the teams should have the halo on the car or not. With those that don't use it to carry a weight ballast on top of the airbox intake. "

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3. Posted by Chris Roper, 22/07/2017 6:22

"I think the FIA are confused.
Ferrari has a Veto, that allows then to block a proposal from the teams, it is not a power of ratification to override the teams.
Do they actually have any structure or rules for these meetings?"

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4. Posted by Rhaycen, 22/07/2017 6:17

"@mickl, it is completely debatable if the Halo would have helped Bianchi or not, and lets not forget that that Bianchi wouldn't have happened with proper use of the SC and vehicle deployment.

That same with Massa, there is still a huge opening in the front that parts and pieces can fly through, so Massa would still have been smashed in the face.

I don't think this toilet-seat is going to do much for safety, but it does do a whole lot for horrible esthetics. If you don't have a good solution for the problem, then keep working on it until you do, don't do something half-ass. "

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5. Posted by mickl, 21/07/2017 23:53

"Well if the FIA doesn't implement anything then the next time there's an accident of the Jules Bianchi nature, where something like the halo or the shield would have prevented the injury then a lot of lawyers are going to get very very rich."

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6. Posted by Ro, 21/07/2017 13:46

"Another example as to who is really in charge of F1. Its not the FIa but Ferrari. When 9 teams voted against it yet the FIA passed it it made a joke of having such a group. Its about time the FIA went and played with something else. EWverything they have changes has been a complete waste of time effort and money. We (the fans) want F1, not bumper cars. What next ? Bumpers? Airbags? Its a joke."

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7. Posted by Barslug, 21/07/2017 13:22

"It's not often I agree with Mr. Lauda, but I think he hit the nail on the head here. It detracts from what an F1 car is. This is a step too far. I'm curious as to why only Ferrari is on board with it? They must have some idea how to use it to their advantage. "

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