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."
Previous article
Has Ferrari missed a crucial area of development?
Next article
Wehrlein, Russell to share Mercedes F1 reserve driver role in 2018
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Susie Wolff |
| Teams | Mercedes |
| Author | Lawrence Barretto |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
