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F1 canopy idea not dead yet, says FIA

Formula 1's governing body has not given up on the idea of a canopy cockpit protection system, but says it will only happen if teams reject the Halo.

Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen

Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen

XPB Images

A Red Bull Racing RB12 is fitted with a cockpit canopy
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen
Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen
Red Bull Racing RB12 with the aeroscreen

Red Bull was instrumental in pushing forward with the concept of an Aeroscreen last year, but stopped work on it after its initial design did not get through a rigorous test programme put in place by the FIA.

The focus since then has been on trialling the Halo, with all teams having now run the system during Friday free practice sessions last year to get a better understanding of it.

Despite a majority of drivers being in favour of the Halo, opinion remains divided among teams and fans about whether or not the move to use it from 2018 is a good thing.

F1 deputy race director Laurent Mekies says that the FIA is happy with how work on the Halo has progressed although its adoption now depends on what other parties decide.

However, he said that the possibility of a canopy system being brought in could not be ruled out yet,  but its development was nowhere near as advanced as that of the Halo.

"No, it's not dead," he said during the Autosport International Show last weekend. "Technically, it's possible, it's maybe six months, five months away if we wanted to do that.

"We are waiting for the final word from our bosses to know if they want the Halo, if they want the canopy, if they want something in between, or if they want something more aesthetically pleasing - even if there is a price to pay.

"Everything is on the table. There is nothing that we consider impossible right now."

F1 has agreed to introduce some form of cockpit protection for 2018, but the details of it have yet to be finalised.

About that process, Mekies added: "It's a philosophical conversation. The engineering work is done. Somebody needs to decide if it's right for F1 or not; if it's compatible with the DNA.

"The net safety benefit is established. After that, we accept that F1 is not a closed car. So is it right for F1? It is for somebody to answer your questions, which is very much the stakeholders.

"We have to look at this aspect, because the sport is about that. That's what is being discussed quite intensely right now."

Additional reporting by Benjamin Vinel

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