FIA proposes ’halo’ cockpit solution for 2017

F1’s governing body is believed to have shortlisted a cockpit protection system nicknamed ’the halo’ for introduction in 2017, according to the British newspaper The Sun.

Devised by Mercedes, the solution is designed to keep cockpits essentially open but stop flying objects and obstacles from striking the driver.

The news follows GPDA president Alex Wurz declaring that F1 drivers had unanimously voted for a "swift implementation" of a solution.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, however, said that fans enjoying watching dangerous sports.

Speaking at the Kitzbuhel world cup downhill skiing event, he told the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper: "People love seeing a bit of danger.

"If there was a circus where the acrobat balances a few inches above the ground, no one would go.

"But the way we have improved safety in formula one is hardly comparable (with skiing)," Ecclestone added. "If you could choose something to have an accident in, you would probably pick a formula one car.

"The drivers in formula one have big accidents, undo their seatbelts and climb out. And that’s a good thing," he said.