We must make the halo a positive - Carey

There has been much speculation regarding Liberty Media's plans for the future, one of which is the introduction of the controversial halo, and Formula One Group CEO Chase Carey confirmed ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that they must drive to make it a 'positive' for the sport.

In an extensive interview with Sky Sports during FP1 on Friday morning, Carey touched on a whole range of issues, including the opportunity to expand the calendar, but his response to the halo criticism took centre stage.

Carey said: "I know the reaction to change, but safety is criticially important. Our focus is to make the halo as positive as possible. I think there's a lot we can do, and should do, to have the halo be a positive.

"Having said that I recognise fully the reaction. We can do some really special things to help bring interest to the cars."

Carey then touched on the upcoming change to the F1 logo, which again has not been well received, but Carey confirmed that the new logo will be revealed after the end of the Grand Prix on Sunday.

He added: "It's coming on Sunday I believe, but any time you change, you get a mixed set of views.

"We want to provide a fresh energy to the sport. We have a lot of plans for the future. A lot of things we want to do, we thought the logo was a good way to emphasise taking the sport to a new place.

"We are not looking to change the sport, we are looking to provide a fresh innovation and energy to a sport we think we can enhance in a number of ways. Make the competition and action better, and make fans engage in ways they haven't done in the past."

He also confirmed another of the reasons for the alteration.

"The one was formed out of empty space I'm told. I'm not a marketing guy."