Formula 1 veteran Felipe Massa thinks the halo head protection system does not look aesthetically pleasing but agrees in principal with the idea due to safety concerns.
Head protection has been high on the agenda in recent times due to the high profile incidents that cost Jules Bianchi in Formula 1 and Justin Wilson in IndyCar their lives due to head injuries.
Massa himself was hospitalised back in 2009 when he was hit in the head by debris during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, and the Williams Martini Racing driver will be happy for the halo system to be introduced next year.
“Safety is the most important thing and I totally agree with the halo or the closed cockpits or whatever – I agree with this change,” said Massa.
“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.”
Massa’s comments almost echo those of Sebastian Vettel, who tested Ferrari’s version of the halo system during the recent pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya, with the German feeling the system can be ugly providing it does its job of saving lives.
“In principle, I think it doesn’t look very nice but if it can help saving lives, and if thanks to it at least the two drivers who died recently could still be here with us, then I think it can be the ugliest system, but nothing could justify not having it fitted,” said Vettel.
