Vettel: Halo is ugly but essential

After Kimi Räikkönen, Sebastian Vettel was in turn able to test the Halo system during winter testing at the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona (Spain). This protection must protect pilots from debris that could hit their helmet.

This system which could be implemented in F1 from 2017 sparked controversy, with some pilots believing that the Halo was unsightly. If the pilot of the Team Ferrari shares this point of view, it nevertheless campaigns for its installation.

“I agree that it’s not very pretty.”, commented the quadruple world champion in the Barcelona paddock, quoted by ESPN. “But it improves safety and saves lives. I remember at least two drivers over the last four (sic) years who would be with us today if we had this type of system, Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson. It can be as ugly as it gets, there's no justification for these drivers to disappear. »

John Surtees was killed in 2009 at Brands Hatch (Great Britain) during a race. F2 while Justin Wilson was fatally injured in 2015 in Pocono (Pennsylvania) during a racing event.IndyCar.

Sebastian Vettel also shares his teammate Kimi Räikkönen's view on visibility. “We can see what we need to see. I think we should be able to improve the aesthetics of the whole while improving visibility.", added the Scuderia Ferrari driver.

However, Lewis Hamilton strongly opposed the implementation of the Halo. “I feel like we've lost the look of F1 from the 1980s and 1990s. It's not F1 for me anymore. If it is put in place, I hope we will have the choice to use it or not because it concerns our safety. I understand that security is a very important issue, but it is not a solution.", the three-time world champion told the BBC.