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Toro Rosso's technical director James Key believes that everyone will soon get used to the Halo. The head protection device is mandatory for teams in 2018, and has been met with outcry from fans who brand it unattractive.
The device has been used multiple times during free practice over the last year, allowing drivers to adjust to the view and teams to collect data on its aerodynamic effect. While it has brought in a negative reaction, Key thinks that people will become accustomed to it rapidly.
"My gut feeling is it's something we'll just get used to," he told Racer. "There will be talk and all sorts of opinions I'm sure. All of them no doubt valid. But I think ultimately it's just something we'll get used to. We'll get back to worrying about the racing pretty quickly."
While the device that has been seen so far is a default black colour, the Halo will become part of the car's livery this season. Key thinks it will make it much easier on the eyes for those who have spoken out against it.
"I think with the aero bits on it then it will look slightly more Formula 1, let's say, than the frames we saw before," he said. "They will be a little bit more refined visually.Teams have had time to work a bit on optimizing the aerodynamics around them. We'll have to see how it goes.
"It was certainly quite a new test and new set of requirements to take on board for chassis design," he said. "Obviously everyone's a little nervous the first time you try it, but I'm glad to say it worked as planned.
"There's always some unknowns. There's no historic reference you can take with something as new and very different as the Halo tests compared to before. They're quite tough tests, as well. Clearly this has to be a very robust frame around the driver. That requires some quote heavy loading and tricky conditions applied to it to make sure it complies."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Yes, we'll get used to it. Same as people get used to living with a disability, or with a skin condition. Getting used to it is not really the point is it?