Formula 1 cars will look strikingly different next year with the introduction of the halo head protection device, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has described it as looking "alien" after seeing it on their 2018 car for the first time.
The device has been pushed through by the FIA on safety grounds and will also be fitted to Formula 2 and Formula E cars next year.
Not only has Wolff branded the halo 'dreadful', but he says it's far too heavy and will cause teams a headache due to the higher centre of gravity.
"It's a dreadful piece," he told ESPN. "We've had it in the staff briefing and we've shown it [on the W09].
"It's a huge piece of metal, much too heavy, it feels completely alien and I'd like to saw it off if I could!
"In terms of aerodynamic development it didn't interfere too much and everyone has the same problem.
"With all the bolts and nuts it's probably 10 kilos that you have up at the highest point in the car, so the centre of gravity moves up a large chunk and you need to compensate for that. So it's all wrong."
Wolff is hopeful that an alternative can be found after more attractive alternatives, such as the Aeroscreen and Shield, were canned.
"We need to look after driver safety and if there is a device that helps to protect lives, then we need to put it on the car. Maybe in the future we can find a solution that is a little bit more aesthetically pleasing than the halo."
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