Hulkenberg should not be a 'hero' over F1 safety, Ricciardo says

Force India driver Hulkenberg voiced strong objections to the prototype halo device trialled by Ferrari on Thursday and Friday in pre-season F1 testing.

Hulkenberg claimed it "looks horrible", and called on the FIA not to implement it, believing it "sends out the wrong message".

Ricciardo, however, has conceded to being at a loss over Hulkenberg's remarks, saying: "It's not about if we like it or not. It's if we can run it and if it's safer.

"From what I saw it seems OK. For me when the cars went from 2008 to 2009 it was a big change and the cars were ugly. I don't think the halo is as dramatic as that.

"I heard Hulkenberg say some things. I don't agree with that because there's no need to be a hero about this situation.

"It doesn't change the sport or the speed of the car. It's just if there are any flying objects it's extra protection for us.

"I don't know why he's puffing his chest out on something like that. It doesn't make sense."

ROSBERG WANTS HALO 'AS SOON AS POSSIBLE'

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton has also voiced his objections to the halo, claiming it to be the worst modification in F1 history.

Hamilton has also stated if it is introduced, he hopes he is given the option as to whether it should be on his car, insisting he will run without it.

Team-mate Nico Rosberg is heavily in favour and hopes the FIA brings about its arrival swiftly, with suggestions it could be on cars in 2017 if voted through.

"It is definitely the right thing to get as soon as possible, and it's fantastic they are really pushing ahead with it and putting it on the cars," said Rosberg.

"From a couple of angles it even looked pretty cool, from the front for example. It looks great, no problem.

"Sure, some other angles you can still work on it, but it doesn't look bad either. It's fine. We need to put it on the car, and that's it.

"I can understand the purists, of course, but the purists have probably also been complaining for the last 50 years.

"Jackie Stewart was heavily criticised in the '70s for [his remarks on] safety, and those cars were absolutely lethal.

"There are always going to be purists who want to keep it the way it is, that's respectable, fine, everyone has his opinion, but in my opinion the right way to go is what we're doing."