FORMULA ONE
New faces, returning races and hello to halo on grid
Formula One’s "halo" head protection device makes its race debut this season in a 21-round championship with France and Germany back on the calendar and some new faces joining the old favourites on the starting grid. "Grid Kids" will replace the female models standing next to cars before the start, with races starting later in Europe and Brazil and a new logo further distancing the sport from the Bernie Ecclestone era. The following factbox looks at what’s changed for 2018. • The halo: The most obvious novelty, a carbon-titanium cockpit head protection system that weighs 7kg — a significant amount given that the rules have increased the car’s minimum weight by only 5kg to 733kg. The three-point structure has been introduced to protect drivers from flying debris and bouncing wheels. Getting in and out of the car will take longer and be trickier, with drivers having to take care of the aerodynamic additions. • Engine regulations and grid penalties: Drivers are now limited to three pow...
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