Formula 2 boss defends the decision to introduce 2018 car

Engine management and clutch issues have blighted the introduction of the new F2 2018, leading drivers like Artem Markelov to question its implementation.

"Of course it was the right decision," Michel told Autosport. "The other car was six-years-old and the engine was 12-years-old.

"It was time to go to some kind of new technology.

"When you are introducing a new car you know you will always meet some small reliability issues at the very beginning.

"I discussed this with Artem and I told him I thought he was wrong and he agreed with that."

Michel believes that the car has played a role in the close racing featured in F2 to start the season.

The car appears comfortable in the turbulent air of other cars and overtaking has been regular in the first four rounds.

"What is for sure is that the way the car is designed has been a complete success in the way they can follow eachother and be in the tow," said Michel. "It's quite amazing.

"It's absolutely key with the kind of battles we want to have on the track.

"This car is really capable of producing some fantastic racing, and the regulation with it also helps to do strong racing.

"Whether it's better than the other one [the previous GP2 car], I don't know, but at least it is producing fantastic racing and that's what we want."

Halo has 'made its point'

After Tadasuke Makino's life-saving crash in Barcelona earlier this year, Bruno Michel believes the halo device has 'made its point'.

It was controversially implemented in Formula 1 and F2 for this season, with drivers claiming it was distracting and fans were upset with the appearance of the device.

But in Barcelona, the halo got its first real test in competition when the left-rear wheel of Nirei Fukuzumi's F2 2018 landed on Makino's halo. Without the device the wheel could have landed on the Japanese driver's head.

"When we started to design the new car last year and the FIA came up with the halo device, we were quite happy to be the first ones to fit it on our car, and at the beginning, people were talking about if it is efficient and does it look good," said Michel.

"At the end of the day it has been proving it is efficient and Barcelona was a very good example of that and nobody talks about it not looking good anymore.

"When there is something new in the look of the car there's always discussions, saying things like this.

"Now I think everyone has got used to it rapidly and it's made its point."