Lauda: 'Halo destroys F1 for the fans!'

F1 legend Niki Lauda says the Halo cockpit protection is a mistake and its introduction runs counter to F1's efforts to bring the sport closer to the fans.

The FIA has given the controversial safety element the green-light for 2018, despite overwhelming opposition from teams, drivers and F1's fans.

The governing body decided at Wednesday's F1 Strategy Group meeting in Geneva to push the Halo through on safety grounds, and as the most viable option among alternative concepts like the Shield and the Aeroscreen.

"We tested the Halo, the Red Bull Aeroscreen and Ferrari's Shield as a cockpit protection, " said Lauda.

"None has convinced 100 percent. You have to make the right decision in such a situation. The halo is the wrong one."

Lauda, a man who knows a thing or two about safety in F1 since his near fatal crash in 1976, disputes the safety device's necessity and decries its impact on the sport's DNA.

"The FIA ​​has made Formula One as safe as it gets. Also the danger of flying wheels is largely eliminated, because the wheels are always more firmly attached. The risk to the drivers has become minimal.

"We are just trying hard to get new fans for the sport with fast cars and getting closer to the spectators, and now this is destroyed by an overreaction."

"There is 100 per cent a better solution than the Halo, otherwise we would not have tried three things. So the most sensible would be to continue our research and if we find something that does not destroy the appearance, introduce it in 2019.

"It's that simple. There is no reason to rush into something that we regret later," concluded Lauda.

• F1i Poll: Do you want the Halo in F1?

Red Bull's Helmut Marko agreed with Lauda's assessment that the Halo was arather unnatural component for F1.

"This decision is against the DNA of Formula 1," insisted the Austrian.

"Technically, it is also not mature. If an injured driver has to be rescued or a car is on fire, there are still no clear guidelines as to whether the cockpit becomes even more dangerous."

And Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said: "I am sceptical about the Halo, but I understand Jean Todt's decision on safety grounds."

Sky Sports F1 commentator and former driver Martin Brundle said the Halo was 'plain ugly' joining the chorus of voices reproving its awkward aesthetics.

"I expect F1 Halo will cause as many problems as it fixes and further hides the gladiators away," read a Brundle post on Twitter.

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