article: The 'strategy group' of the sport's leading figures is having its latest meeting ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix and the 'halo' is one of the main items on its agenda. The key decision is whether a device aimed at addressing the single biggest area of vulnerability for drivers should be adopted in 2017. On the face of it, the answer might appear simple. The halo undoubtedly improves safety. It exists. It has passed all the tests. It does what it is meant to do. And the 2017 cars are being designed for it. Media playback is not supported on this device But the debate that has raged about it - and will be addressed by the strategy group - goes beyond that, into aesthetics and the central philosophy of what F1 should be, and be seen to be. The idea of the halo was initially proposed by Mercedes, and has been further developed fundamentally by Ferrari under the aegis of governing body the FIA, to address the single biggest safety failing of F1 cars. Safety has improved dramatically and consistently over the last couple of decades, since the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994 led to a renewed and more focused approach to the issue. The cars have got stronger, safety systems have improved and the biggest risks have been removed from circuits. But one major anomaly has remained - the driver's head sticks out of the car, and is protected only by a helmet. The risks are obvious - flying debris can hit the driver's head; an inverted car can land on a wall upside down; and on and on. These sorts of incidents have been the central cause of all the major injuries and deaths that have occurred in forms of motor racing in the last few years. So rule makers set themselves a simple task - come up with a device that deflects large objects that could otherwise encroach on the cockpit. The halo is the answer - made of titanium, in an oval, or halo, shape above the driver's head, secured at three points, one directly in front of him and two at the back of the cockpit. If it is adopted, all teams will use a single design, and it is not expected to have any effect on the racing. As an engineering solution, it is elegant and effective. But not everyone is happy about it. The drivers, through their union the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, have made it clear they would like to see some form of additional head protection introduced as soon as possible. They recognise the limitations of the halo - it is unattractive, some would say ugly; looks like a bit of an after-thought - but also its strengths - it is very effective at doing what it was designed for. For them, it works, it is available, it is the best system for the moment, so introduce it. There have been some dissenting voices - among them world champion Lewis Hamilton, who in March called it "the worst-looking modification in
summary: The introduction of the controversial new 'halo' cockpit head protection system into Formula 1 hinges on a critical meeting to be held on Thursday.