FIA changes Formula 1 rules to include Halo cockpits

In July 2017, the Formula 1 management had confirmed the inclusion of the Secondary Roll Structure (Halo) for the 2018 season. Now, the FIA has made the necessary changes to the Formula 1 regulations and announced the specifications and testing parameters of the halo.

The changes to the Formula 1 regulations were approved by World Motor Sport Council. Originally stated for the 2017 season, the move was delayed due to very few test laps by the cars equipped with a halo. The technical specifications released by the FIA not only mention the positioning and size of the halo, but also the load tests that it must pass.

A change has also been made to the driver extraction rules - the time taken by the driver to get out of a car without assistance. Due to the inclusion of the halo, this time has now been increased from 5 seconds to 7 seconds. The overall time for the driver to remove the steering wheel, get out and replace the wheel has also been increased from 10 seconds to 12 seconds. The council also approved strengthening of the chassis as well as improvements in the wheel retention system.

The deaths of drivers Jules Bianchi and Dan Wheldon were speculated to be preventable if there had been more protection.