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What is Halo and why is it been introduced in F1 in 2018?

On Wednesday, the FIA confirmed it would introduce the Halo cockpit protection concept in Formula One next year. The decision was based on Halo presenting "the best overall safety performance" according to the FIA's five years of research into increased frontal head protection.

The device is destined to split opinion ahead of its full introduction next year as it looks set to change the aesthetics -- and arguably the open-cockpit DNA -- of Formula One racing indefinitely. Below is a guide to what the Halo is, why it was introduced and how a device aimed at improving safety has become so controversial.