Halo delay: The Formula 1 drivers' verdicts

The FIA has decided the device is not yet ready to be fully implemented next year and wants more time for development and testing.

FIA race director Charlie Whiting said the halo's primary benefit is shielding drivers from large objects while research has shown it stops 17% of smaller objects.

Only three drivers have tested the device and each only for installation laps.

The plan is now for all drivers to run it at some point during the nine remaining grand prix weekends of 2016.

But with even those drivers initially opposed to the halo on aesthetic grounds appearing to have been won over in recent weeks, the decision not to use it in 2017 has left many disconcerted.

LEWIS HAMILTON: I hope no one gets injured

"I don't really know why it's not going to be there next year.

"If we are unfortunate enough to have an incident in the next year and a half, and we knew we had a solution for it that would've played a role in that, we'd really be kicking ourselves.

"That 17% you can't ignore, and they'll continue to develop that hopefully over the next year and a half and hopefully it'll be 30%/40% by the end of 2017.

"[Considering] we know we do have it and teams can afford to put it on the cars between now and next season, I hope in that period of time no one gets injured, including myself."

SEBASTIAN VETTEL: Door for 2017 should be kept open

"There is a plan, probably at Spa or Monza, to give a chance to all of us and make us run with it for at least one session to see how it feels.

"Then the way that I understood it, that would make it open for 2017 as well.

"At the end of the day we are trying to change something for the better.

"At this point it is fair to say 'OK let everyone have a go' and then we take it from there."

JENSON BUTTON: Lack of testing was its downfall

"During the Budapest weekend we sat down with the FIA for 45 minutes and discussed the positives. There didn't seem to be any negatives at that stage.

"But there hasn't been enough mileage with it, there hasn't been enough driving in anger with the halo system.

"So I think next year is very early to put it on the car.

"It's a good idea, and we would like a head protection system - whatever it's called in the future - sooner rather than later, but it obviously needs to be tested correctly.

"I also feel the decision was made on the right grounds, in terms of safety rather than anything else."

DANIEL RICCIARDO: Doing it now would be half-hearted

"One thing we were leaning towards was if there's not the perfect solution then let's wait and get something that's proper, rather than doing something half-heartedly.

"I think that's the reason for now why it's going to be postponed. It is a serious device, and sure, if it's on the car we want it to work in the right way.

"If they're still concerned about that, then I understand. It's obviously new to Formula 1, so it's not easy to come up with something overnight."

FELIPE MASSA: I'll decide once I've tried it

"I never tried it, so how can I answer if it is the best option or not?

"But I think it will be nice to try in different tracks like Spa that has uphill, downhill so there you understand if you change anything with the visibility or not.

"If it doesn't change anything for visibility, I am in favour.

"I don't think they need to not put it on the car just because it looks ugly. Safety is more important and I think people will get used to how it looks really quickly."

NICO ROSBERG: Doesn't understand the delay

"I don't understand [the decision] because could have tested it this weekend, or we could do it at Spa or wherever. We can do it in the same period of time.

"The large majority of the drivers agree we need to get it on the car as soon as possible.

"It just makes sense, it's just such a huge step in safety, so it's disappointing to hear it's not going to be on the car for next year."

DANIIL KVYAT: It still doesn't look good

"F1 is a very public sport and it's not the best thing to have probably. It doesn't look so good, and in my personal opinion we are racing to very high safety standards [already].

"I don't have a strong will to have it on my car, if I had to make a choice."