Lives more important than Halo looks - Vettel

Sebastian Vettel says saving lives is more important than any concerns regarding the look of an F1 car after testing the Halo device.

Following on from Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, Vettel completed his installation lap with the Halo cockpit protection attached to his car. With visibility a concern due to a central supporting pillar, Vettel says he had no major concerns with how the Halo impacted on his view.

“I think first of all to go round is OK, you can see what you need to see," Vettel said. "I think we can improve the system in terms of aesthetics, and also in terms of how much visibly is in your way. I tested it I the simulator and I think we will see evolutions of it very soon.”

And while Vettel admits he is not a fan of the Halo's aesthetics, the German says there is nothing more important than preventing fatalities.

“In principal, I agree it doesn’t look very nice. It’s not the picture you are used to for Formula One for a long time. But equally if it helps increase the safety and helps saving lives … There would be at least two drivers in the last four years that I remember 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 - nothing justifies not having these guys around anymore."

Follow live coverage and timing from pre-season testing here

GALLERY: Pre-season testing

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

4 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

5 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

6 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

7 hours ago

Cheers to the forever young pure racer Jacques Laffite

The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…

9 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Wednesday's build-up in pictures

The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…

9 hours ago