World champion not happy with device and agrees F1 is 'broken'
Saturday 5 March 2016 10:49, UK
Lewis Hamilton says he would remove the controversial halo device if it was affixed to his car.
The F1 world champion had already labelled the halo as "the worst looking mod in Formula 1 history".
Hamilton's comments were made after Ferrari completed the first public trial of the halo-shaped device at Barcelona testing, as F1 continues to work towards the introduction of a head protection device from 2017.
"I really, really hope not and 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," Hamilton told Sky Sports News HQ.
And although the concept was devised by Hamilton's Mercedes team, the Briton made clear he was not a fan.
"Please no!" he posted on Instagram. "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."
Halo device splits opinion in the F1 paddock
But Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who followed team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, in testing the device at Barcelona, says there can be no justification for not adopting the halo device if it saves lives.
"You can see what you need to see," said Vettel. "We can improve it aesthetically and in terms of how much is in your way. We will see evolutions. In principle, it doesn't look very good but if it helps save lives then there would be at least two drivers in the last four years who would be still around - Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson. Nothing justifies not having these two guys around any more."
Although teams have agreed with the FIA that some form of head protection structure for drivers will be introduced next year, reaching consensus on the wider direction F1 should take with its regulations remains a challenge.
F1's rulemakers have been criticised over the past week for the uncertainty surrounding qualifying rules heading into the new season, while a final blueprint has still not been agreed for 2017's planned design overhaul.
Asked in a media session at the Circuit de Catalunya if he thought F1 was fundamentally broke, lacking direction, or in rude health, Hamilton replied: "Probably the first two you suggested.
"I don't really want to say too much about it, but I do agree with the first two things you suggested."
Hamilton was the second leading driver to speak out against the state of the sport at Barcelona after his former team-mate Fernando Alonso said he was 'saddened' by the chaos surrounding elimination-style qualifying.
"If I was a sportsman from another sport I would look at Formula 1 a bit surprised," Alonso said. "I don't think it is right and there are too many changes."
The first race of the 2016 F1 season, the Australian GP, is exclusively live on Sky Sports F1. The race in Melbourne starts at 5am on Sunday March 20.
