Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The position of start lights will be altered on Formula One tracks this season, in a bid to ensure the drivers’ line of vision is not impeded by the controversial halo protection device.
The halo is a titanium structure introduced this year in a bid to ramp up driver safety, forming a ring around the cockpit top. It is designed to protect the drivers’ head from loose debris and offer better safety during eventual collisions.
Although drivers largely understand the need for it, very few like it. They are worried it impedes visibility, it looks ugly and also that fans will no longer be able to identify a driver properly from his race helmet. Drivers also take longer to climb in and out of their cars.
Formula One’s governing body has addressed concerns and asked every circuit ‘to make the lights at a standard height above the track’, FIA race director Charlie Whiting said.
“Pole position seems to be the worst case scenario with the halo,” Whiting added at Sunday’s season-opening Australian GP. “Maybe the driver can’t quite see the lights, or see only half of them, and he might have to move his head too much.”
The new start lights were positioned lower for last Friday’s first two practice sessions at Albert Park. A repeat set of lights were also moved from their usual position halfway up the grid to a more convenient position to the left.
