Sebastian Vettel has said the new ‘halo’ protection system can be as ugly as possible as long as it saves lives.
Vettel tested out the ‘halo’ protection system on Friday morning during the final day of pre-season testing after his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had tested it out a day earlier. The new device received criticism from many fans and drivers alike, Lewis Hamilton decided to take to his Instagram account to label it the “worst-looking mod in F1 history”.
However unlike Hamilton, Vettel does not believe the system should be scrapped just because it is not aesthetically beautiful as he believes this system would have saved Justin Wilson’s and Henry Surtees lives who both died after being hit in the head by objects during races therefore how it looks is not a concern to the German.
Speaking to reporters during his lunch break from the final test Vettel described what it was like to drive with the new device.
“I think first of all to go round 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. I tested it I the simulator and I think we will see evolutions of it very soon.”
“In principle I agree it doesn’t look very nice but equally it helps increase the safety, it helps saving lives.
“There would be at least two drivers in the last four years there I remember that would still be around – Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson – if we had this type of system.
“I think it can be very ugly but nothing justifies not having these two guys around.”
