Mercedes F1 launch: Wolff would take a chainsaw to halo cockpit device
Toto Wolff says he is "not impressed" with Formula 1's halo cockpit protection device and would remove it with "a chainsaw" if given the chance
Fans have been vocal in their disapproval of the halo, particularly regarding its aesthetics, ahead of its introduction for this season.
Technical chiefs have spoken of the challenge of integrating the device, with Mercedes technical director James Allison saying the halo needs to be strong enough to withstand the weight of a London double decker bus.
"I'm not impressed with the whole thing," said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, speaking at the launch of the team's 2018 challenger at Silverstone.
"If you give me a chainsaw, I would take it off.
"We need to look after the drivers' safety but what we have implemented is aesthetically not appealing.
"We need to tackle that and come up with a solution that looks better.
"It's a massive weight on top of the car, you screw up the centre of gravity massively with that thing.
"As much as it's impressive to look at the statistics that you could put a bus on top, this is a Formula 1 car."
Tests have shown that a standard extraction by marshals, with the driver lifted out still attached to their seat, is straightforward.
But it remains unclear whether the halo will make it more challenging in a more complicated extraction.
While he criticised the looks of the halo, Wolff admitted the device's introduction means the drivers would be safer.
"The FIA has thoroughly conducted all kinds of tests and possible scenarios and overall, the halo makes it much more safer for the driver," he said.
"Whether there are scenarios where a driver is trapped, probably these scenarios do exist, but overall it is safer with the halo than without the halo."
Has Ferrari missed a crucial area of development?
Wehrlein, Russell to share Mercedes F1 reserve driver role in 2018
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix