What F1 Drivers Really Think Of The New Halo Concept 'Thong'

So you may well have seen the F1 cockpit protection device that Kimi Raikkonen debuted on the penultimate day of pre-season testing. Yeah, it looks like a thong or a flip-flop, but it is the ‘preferred’ option of the FIA when it comes to improving the safety of the sport.

F1’s governing body said it ‘intends to introduce cockpit protection for 2017’ and the first prototype was trialled by Raikkonen and Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel on the final two days of F1 testing in Spain.

As well as there being mixed reactions from fans, the same can also be said for the drivers. Some strong opinions have been voiced to media at the test track about the ‘halo’ prototype, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg disapproving of it and others, like Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel, being for the device’s introduction.

Hamilton said:

“Please no! This is the worst looking mod in Formula 1 history. I appreciate the quest for safety but this is Formula 1, and the way it is now is perfectly fine. If it does come in then l hope that we will be given the option of not using it because l will not be using it on my car.”

Hulkenberg also isn’t a fan:

“Don’t do it. It sends the wrong message. F1 is very safe at the moment. It looks horrible, I don’t like it and it’s just one of these little personal things that I wouldn’t like to see it.

“You can’t sterilise the sport. There needs to be an element of danger - I think in a way that’s sexy and attractive and it’s also what Formula 1 needs. Safety standards in F1 are pretty high and very good, I’d be happy to accept those risks and keep running as we are.”

Vettel believes it is crucial something like the ‘halo’ is implemented:

“Well I think first of all to go around is OK. You can see what you need to see. I think we can improve the system in terms of aesthetics and also in terms of how much visibly is in your way. Tested as well in the simulator and I think we will see probably evolutions of it very soon.

“In principle, I agree it doesn’t look very nice. It’s not the picture you’re used to from Formula 1 for a long time, but equally it helps increasing the safety and helps saving lives. There would be at least two drivers in the last four years that I remember that would still be around – Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson – if we had this type of system. I think it can be as ugly as possible. I think nothing justifies not having these guys around anymore.”

Ricciardo reacted to Hulkenberg’s comments:

“I heard Hulkenberg say some things I don’t agree with, because there’s no need to be a hero about the situation. It doesn’t change the sport, or the speed of the car – it’s just if there are any flying objects, it’s an extra bit of protection for us.

“I don’t know why he’s puffing his chest out for something like that, it doesn’t make sense. The cars from 2008 to 2009 had a big change, the cars were ugly. The halo isn’t as dramatic as that.”

Felipe Massa, who suffered head injuries when his helmet was struck by debris in 2009, added:

“Safety is the most important thing and I totally agree with the halo or the closed cockpits or whatever - I agree with this change. But it doesn’t look very nice. We’ll see how it’s going to be. If it’s good for the safety, it’s fine.”

Rosberg shared his thoughts on social media:

It’s definitely nice to see drivers sharing their honest thoughts. What do you think about it? Who do you agree with? Let us know in the comments.