29/07/2016
NEWS STORY
While the great debate over the decision to delay the introduction of the Halo device continues, with some claiming that even Jean Todt voted against its introduction next year, Christian Horner, never a fan of the device, insists the sport got it right.
The Red Bull boss argues that despite the amount of time and research already devoted to the device, there had been minimal on-track testing.
"At the moment, other than a couple of install laps from a couple of drivers, there's been no mileage put on this," said the Briton.
"We're testing tyres for miles and miles before they're introduced next year," he continued. "The same has to go with a safety component in order to ensure that we haven't introduced a risk that wasn't previously there as well. I think the right thing's being done.
"The analysis, the research the development of the system is going to be really ramped up over the next twelve months to ensure that when it is introduced, it's introduced properly, and not just for F1, across the different categories. Because this has a knock-on effect all the way down to entry level at F4 or Formula Renault. So it's important we get this right."
While some are claiming that the drivers, who less than a week ago were being lectured on why the device was needed next year, leading some to change their opinions, are being forced into a confrontation with the sport's powers-that-be, Horner doesn't agree.
"A couple of drivers who have driven with the system haven't been entirely happy with it," he said, referring to Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, "and they've only done an installation lap. So it's not been tested, it's not been fully proven at different circuits.
"The objective is to improve the safety for the drivers, but to do it in way that doesn't introduce any unforeseen aspects that could interfere with that. So I think the logical and sensible thing is being done, further testing, further development to get it on all the drivers' cars."
Check out our Friday gallery from Hockenheim, here.