Perez: F1 will get used to Halo ‘after three or four races’

Sergio Perez has faith Formula 1 will adjust to life with the Halo cockpit protector after the opening few rounds and feels it’s a safety move which has been a long time coming.

The Force India driver admits his team is battling the aerodynamic impact the new Halo safety device has on his 2018 car, while Williams technical chief Paddy Lowe has also warned the weight of the device will play a big role, but says it’s a fair compromise as it’ll hit each team equally.

Perez agrees with the majority of voices against the aesthetics of the Halo with fears it will ruin the look of future F1 cars but underlined the need to increase safety measures over any other issues and is confident fans and drivers will get used to it after a few races.

“The Halo is definitely hurting the aerodynamics a lot on our side but it's the same for everyone,” Perez said. “It's a safety thing. After three, four races we will get used to it. In Formula 1, everything is changing very quickly.

“I expect and I hope that next year will be a really interesting year with all the teams closing up and I hope Halo after two or three races, nobody talks about it anymore.

“I think it's a very good decision and a very brave decision from the FIA. We're pushing on safety and I think it also shows this generation of drivers definitely are pushing for safety and not only for Formula 1, but for other categories.

“If you had the Halo in the last 10 years we would have saved a couple of lives already in the sport. I think it's something that other sports would be proud of. Although I don't like the look, it's worth it.”

From 2018 it will become mandatory for all F1 cars to run with the Halo cockpit safety device having undergone extensive track testing over the past two seasons.