The FIA insists the Halo is still on track to make its debut in Formula 1 next season, but a final decision will be made at the end of April, according to the sport's Race Director Charlie Whiting.
The Halo head protection device was thoroughly tested last year, with the majority of the drivers trialling it during practice; it was intended for the device to be introduced this season, but following a vote, it was decided to delay the use of the system until 2018.
Whiting says the Halo is still the preferred device, despite Red Bull pitching its Aeroscreen as an alternative, and with a deadline for other alternatives looming, a final decision is expected next month.
"Yes, it is still on track," said Whiting. "It was agreed by the Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission that there would be additional frontal protection for 2018.
"So far, the Halo is the only candidate solution that fits the bill. We are working on other solutions, for review, and after the 30th of April, which is the cut-off point for regulation changes, we’ll just have to see. If something better comes up after that we’ll have to look as how we approach it.
"An announcement is expected at the end of April, we hope."
The Halo won't appear on any cars this year, confirmed Whiting.
"There won’t be any more use in Free Practice. The purpose of doing it last year was to allow every team and every driver to assess it, which we did all bar one driver. There are no plans to run it any more this year."
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