Kimi Raikkonen has become the first driver to try out the proposed ‘halo’ cockpit protection design, after running it at the second winter test.
The Ferrari driver’s SF16-H was fitted with the device for a brief run on the morning of the third day of the second pre-season test event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Improving head protection and cockpit safety has been a key talking point in F1 for some time, but plans accelerated following the deaths of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson last year.
After last week’s Strategy Group and F1 Commission meetings in Geneva, the FIA announced it “intends” to bring in some kind of cockpit protector for the 2017 season.
The ‘halo’ concept was said to be the preferred choice and Raikkonen was the first driver to try it, with three pillars connecting it to the car – one in front of the driver and two to the side.
The Finnish racer ran the ‘halo’ device, which was painted black, for one installation lap before it was removed.
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