Ecclestone is fully behind the postponement, and is keen to point out that the Halo may yet be replaced by an alternative system.

Meanwhile, the Halo is set to be tried on track by more drivers from Spa until the end of the season.

“We’re going to have a look at it,” Ecclestone told Motorsport.com. “We’re not calling it the Halo, we’re just looking at it as frontal protection for drivers.

"We want them to get in the cars with this current format and see if they like it or not. A couple of drivers have done a few laps, but I think they should do a whole race to see if they like being enclosed.”

He added: “For 2018 we will come up with something that’s going to give more protection for the drivers.”

Regarding the possible legal threat Ecclestone pointed out that there could also have been problems if the Halo had been approved and had then caused an injury.

“What happens if there’s an accident and the Halo crushes a guy? Who’s going to take that responsibility?

“If there’s an accident and somebody’s trapped in the car, maybe the car caught light, and the guy couldn’t get out? Niki [Lauda] was in the Strategy Group and he pointed it out, because he’s the only one who can talk about those sort of things.”

He denied that the FIA’s Charlie Whiting, who is ultimately responsible for safety in F1, was now in a difficult position.

“Not really. Charlie is the race director. It’s the decision of the Strategy Group, to then go to the F1 Commission, and then it will be a regulation.”

Asked if that meant all involved would have collective responsibility for the decision he said: “Absolutely, 100 percent.”