Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) chairman Alex Wurz has revealed that members of the group, which is made up of current Formula 1 drivers, have unanimously backed calls for cockpit protection to be implemented "as soon as possible".
The FIA has been researching the best way of providing cockpit safety following a number of incidents, including that of ex-F1 driver Justin Wilson who was killed during an IndyCar race when debris struck his head and Jules Bianchi, who died after he sustained a head injury when his Marussia struck a stationary recovery vehicle.
Of the concepts tested, which have included fighter jet-style canopies and raised cockpit sides, the most promising concept is that of the 'halo', which is a made up of two arms which run from the front of the cockpit to the rear, raised above the drivers head.
Following a GPDA vote, Wurz revealed that F1 drivers unanimously back the concept and want it implemented "swiftly".
"The research the FIA experts have done is very thorough and the process has brought forward a clear solution," Wurz told the BBC.. "Now the drivers feel it's time to implement the extra protection at the latest in 2017.
"Obviously structural changes are required to the chassis but, with almost a one-year lead time, I don't see any technical person speaking against such substantial safety improvements, especially given the last big accidents in open-wheel racing involved head injuries."
Meanwhile the drivers have called on the sport to adopt better tyres in 2017, ones which last longer and allow drivers to push 100 per cent throughout the entire race.
Wurz wouldn't be drawn on exactly what was discussed, insisting the details would remain "confidential" until he had a chance to discuss them directly with Pirelli, but said the desire for quicker, more durable tyres was there.
"The drivers want to underline very clearly that they would love Pirelli to produce a tyre which goes faster around corners as well as being safe," he added.
"If we get sticky tyres, we will have happy drivers, and happy drivers means authentic and honest performance, pure message for the product and driving the cars to the maximum."
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