Niki Lauda has joined a chorus of disapproving Formula 1 figures who believe the halo cockpit safety system is another step in eroding the ethos of Formula 1.
Lauda told Motorsport Magazine, “If you go too far with these things, it’s no wonder that fewer people are watching these days. I think – in a very respectful way – that the DNA of Formula 1 should be maintained, and we’re slowly going to destroy it if we keep on inventing what are, for me, too many safety issues.”
The halo system is set to be implemented in 2017, but already has some high profile detractors including Lewis Hamilton who called it the worst ever F1 invention.
“Because of improvements in the cars and tracks, Formula One has never been as safe as it is today, so now the question for me is how far can we go on safety issues without losing the interest of the people? If someone says he wants to make $40-million a year, with an easy car to drive, and no risk, this is not reality…”
Sebastian Vettel gave his reasoning during the FIA’s Sport Conference last week, “The fact that the cars have become a lot safer is obviously nice for us, because knowing a little bit of history shows you that many years ago the drivers weren’t as lucky, and I think you need to find the right compromise.”
The ingredients of passion, speed, danger and noise are very important. We want to make the sport safer – we can’t shut our eyes if bad things happen.”
“It’s a difficult balance, and it might sound wrong initially, but I think the sport in some way has to remain dangerous because that is what is appealing to people.”
“If you lose that ingredient, they don’t sense any more that it’s something out of their reach – out of this world – and it becomes less exciting. I think racing should keep its core pillars,” added Vettel
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