Halo for 2018

[ChrisCurtis]

Going off topic here, but there is an unmanned race car series on the horizon. I think the cars run off AI, they had the car (if that's what it's called) briefly on Top Gear.

[cosworth151]

Just when I thought driverless cars were the stupidest idea possible, they come up with driverless race cars. 

Seriously, without a driver in the car, there is no way it could legitimately be called a sport. How often have we talked about the need to bring back more driver input in the races? Without drivers, the whole thing is pointless.

[Jericoke]

Just when I thought driverless cars were the stupidest idea possible, they come up with driverless race cars. 

Seriously, without a driver in the car, there is no way it could legitimately be called a sport. How often have we talked about the need to bring back more driver input in the races? Without drivers, the whole thing is pointless.

I don't see it as a replacement for F1, but personally, I'd find it fascinating.  A showdown between mechanical, electrical and computer engineering all in one package.  Throw in a robo-pit crew for changing tires and repairing damaged bodywork.

Calling it a 'sport' would certainly push the definition of what 'sport' is.  However, camel racing has already moved on from human jockeys to robo-jockeys.  I don't follow the sport closely (indeed, at all), but that's something that robo-autoracing could at least look at.

[Andy B]

We have already been pretty close to this with the cars that had computer suspension giving ride height control they changed gear at the right time and even braking so the driver was left to steer and they thought then that they could do it without the driver!

[cosworth151]

Alex Wirz, Chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers Association & former F1 driver, likes them.

“With regards to the introduction of additional head protection, as stated various times, us drivers respect the FIA's stand on safety and support their ongoing quest to make racing safer.

“Over recent decades, we have seen increasing speeds and ever faster lap times, and this ultimate racing quest is solely possible due to increasing safety. Equally, over the same period of time we have seen an increase in popularity of our sport.

“F1 is a role model for ever-increasing safety without jeopardizing performance. While the Halo solution might not be the most aesthetically pleasing for everyone, us drivers will nevertheless race and push as hard as we can on track, which is the key for F1 to continue its growth and popularity.”

[Jericoke]

Alex Wirz, Chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers Association & former F1 driver, likes them.

“With regards to the introduction of additional head protection, as stated various times, us drivers respect the FIA's stand on safety and support their ongoing quest to make racing safer.

“Over recent decades, we have seen increasing speeds and ever faster lap times, and this ultimate racing quest is solely possible due to increasing safety. Equally, over the same period of time we have seen an increase in popularity of our sport.

“F1 is a role model for ever-increasing safety without jeopardizing performance. While the Halo solution might not be the most aesthetically pleasing for everyone, us drivers will nevertheless race and push as hard as we can on track, which is the key for F1 to continue its growth and popularity.”

A very good way to put things into context.

[cosworth151]

During NBC's FP2 broadcast from the Hungaroring, they talked about the FIA wanting to have the halo filter down through the lower series. No surprise but the first time I've heard it said.

[Jericoke]

During NBC's FP2 broadcast from the Hungaroring, they talked about the FIA wanting to have the halo filter down through the lower series. No surprise but the first time I've heard it said.

If it's good enough to protect the multimillionaire drivers with massive insurance polices, it's good enough to protect the kids who are going to need to get real jobs for the rest of their lives.

[cosworth151]

Each team will be able to design their own halo. It will be interesting to see what the teams can come up with. I wonder what the FIA will do when Adrian Newey figures out how to use it to generate downforce.

[Scott]

Each team will be able to design their own halo. It will be interesting to see what the teams can come up with. I wonder what the FIA will do when Adrian Newey figures out how to use it to generate downforce.

No kidding...

Why on earth would they allow that?