Formula 1

All drivers should vote on Head Protection introduction insists Sainz

1 Mins read
Carlos Sainz Jr - Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd

Carlos Sainz Jr believes a formal vote between the drivers should be undertaken to decide the future of the proposed head protection system in Formula 1.

So far only Scuderia Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen plus Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver Pierre Gasly have experienced driving with the Halo system in place, but Sainz believes the opportunity should be presented to all drivers so they can properly gauge the system and decide whether they would be happy for it to be introduced into Formula 1.

“I think is that every driver should try it before 2017, then every driver should give their opinion and there should be a vote after running the Halo,” said Sainz on Motorsport.com.

“This is the most common sense thing to do, even though in the end they probably won’t take into consideration our vote.”

Pierre Gasly tested the Halo system at the post-Silverstone test (Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd)

Pierre Gasly tested the Halo system at the post-Silverstone test (Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd)

Sainz has admitted that he would have preferred to see the Halo arrive in 2017 rather than all head protection systems being deferred until 2018, and is worried that something could happen next season that will make them regret delaying it’s introduction.

“Everyone took a decision to have a protection device in 2018 – doesn’t mean it will be a Halo, it means all the teams and FIA will work to provide a safety component for 2018,” said Sainz.  “But it probably means in 2017 we have nothing in the car, which opens the question of what happens if something happens in 2017.

“I think Halo [could’ve been] a solution for one year before they come up with something more advanced. But it’s clear for ’17 they cannot bring this.

“They want to bring it for ’18, but if something happens in ’17, you look back and say ‘ah, maybe we should have left the Halo [on] for one year’, before bringing on the nice-looking super-safe aspect for 2018 that they have promised.

“It’s a question mark we all have, hopefully it will not be like that and nothing will happen.”

13769 posts

About author
Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
Articles
Related posts
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix - TCF Driver of the Weekend

2 Mins read
TheCheckeredFlag Driver of the Weekend is revealed for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Team Principals are Saying after the Race

7 Mins read
The ten Team Principals reflect on drivers performances at Albert Park during Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, a race that saw Ferrari claim their first win of 2024.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Drivers are Saying after the Race – Part 2

7 Mins read
Those who missed out on points in Australia reflect on their races, including Max Verstappen, who retired from a Grand Prix for the first time since the same event in 2022.