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F1 German Grand Prix: Too many unknowns to support Halo, says Grosjean

Romain Grosjean says there are number of reasons as to why he is personally against the introduction of a 'Halo' cockpit protection device, saying it is against the 'DNA' of F1 and there are still too many untested potential pitfalls.

Ahead of a key vote amongst team bosses at a Strategy Group meeting this weekend in Hockenheim, the 'Halo' concept is still dividing opinion, with Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo amongst those in support, while Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg have shown resistance.

It is within the latter grouping that Haas driver Grosjean falls into, the Frenchman declaring the device goes 'against the DNA' of F1 before adding that it hasn't been tested for factors such as wet conditions, undulating venues and night-time visibility in places like Singapore.

"I don't want to stop safety in Formula One and it's great, but if we're racing drivers then we make a choice to come into a dangerous sport and I'm not at all in favour of the Halo," he confirmed. "I think it goes against the DNA in Formula One, against what I've seen as a kid or since it started in 1950. On top of that there has been a few downsides.

"We don't know what it's going to be like when it's raining; we don't know what it's going to be like on a track like Spa-Francorchamps where you're up and down; we don't know what it's going to be like in Singapore with the lights and the Halo; we've already got issues with the weight; and it's ugly. If it comes, fine. But again if I had to vote I would vote against."

Though Grosjean says is introduction would stop him from racing in F1, he feels the sport does enough in the advancement of safety without this device.

"Well we would get used to it and we would go around. But it's clearly not making the cars look faster and stronger and more difficult to drive. I think Formula One has already had the head in the air and that's part of the enjoyment for a racing driver."

"We've seen the research, it's been very well done, it's great, the results are great but again for me the pros and the cons, it just doesn't work." 

Zdroj: crash.net