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Toro Rosso's Key predicts everyone will soon get used to Halo

Published on 23 Jan 2018 16:10
9
By: Fergal Walsh

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

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?

1
Jan 23 2018 - 17:06

F1 News

Replies (9)

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?
- + 1
- Jan 23 2018 - 17:06
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Nah, but then again, who wears seatbelts for fun? As someone with Tietze's syndrom, I definitely dont find it comfortable. :P
  + 0
  
  Jan 23 2018 - 19:06
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  I suppose I should add that I have severe end stage COPD. Get used to it? I wish!
  + 0
  
  Jan 23 2018 - 19:14
Barron

Posts: 625
Put it this way, anyone viewing F1 for the first time will think it completely normal and wonder what the fuss is about. When I look back at old race cars, I think they’re quite cute but just a bit old fashioned, and so the wheel turns.
- + 0
- Jan 23 2018 - 19:13
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
My issue with the thong protection is not its look, but its actual worth against smaller debris like the one that hit Massa in his head.
- + 0
- Jan 24 2018 - 00:35
reg

Posts: 162
I've been dealing with an extra leg all my life, my mates call me peg with the extra leg!!
Bit it doesn't make me pretty and nor does the Halo!
- + 0
- Jan 24 2018 - 01:21
- 2GRX7
  
  Posts: 108
  HAHA- but it surely makes you in demand with the ladies!
  + 0
  
  Jan 24 2018 - 15:37
boudy

Posts: 1,168
It all depends how it looks. If it looks OK than we will get used to it quickly otherwise it will take more time. Don't really care about it. However it might cause side effects ... we’ll see.
- + 0
- Jan 24 2018 - 16:06
Barron

Posts: 625
This is another “it’s not loud enough” argument and is completely puerile. There are a lot more important things to be debated in F1.
- + 0
- Jan 25 2018 - 11:27