Sebastian Vettel believes that the 'Halo' cockpit protection system currently being trialled in Formula 1 would have saved the lives of both Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson.
Following the death of F1 driver Jules Bianchi in 2015 from injuries sustained nine months earlier at the Japanese Grand Prix, head protection has become a serious consideration for the series.
Teams were asked to put forward a prototype design, with Mercedes' 'Halo' being tested in public for the first time this week during pre-season testing in Barcelona.
After seeing Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen complete a short run using the 'Halo' on Thursday, Vettel tried it out on Friday morning and reported that there were no issues with cockpit vision.
"Well I think first of all to go around is OK. You can see what you need to see,” Vettel said.
“I think we can improve the system in terms of aesthetics and also in terms of how much visibly is in your way. [I've] tested as well in the simulator and I think we will see probably evolutions of it very soon."
The German driver went on to give his full support to the 'Halo', saying that it would have saved the lives of Wilson and Surtees.
Wilson was struck on the head by debris during last August's IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway and died one day later, while Surtees was killed after being hit by a tyre during a Formula 2 race in 2009.
"In principle, I agree it doesn’t look very nice. It’s not the picture you’re used to from Formula 1 for a long time, but equally it helps increasing the safety and helps saving lives,” Vettel said.
“There would be at least two drivers in the last four years that I remember that would still be around – Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson – if we had this type of system.
“I think it can be as ugly as possible. I think nothing justifies not having these guys around any more."
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