Nico Hulkenberg still has ‘mixed feelings’ over halo despite Charles Leclerc’s escape

Renault's Nico Hulkenberg says his feelings toward the halo remain "mixed" despite Charles Leclerc's recent close-call at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg was a harsh critic of the halo when it was introduced, describing it as "horrible" and questioned the need for it given the sport's level of safety.

"It looks horrible, I don't like it," said the Renault driver. "There needs to be an element of danger.

"Safety standards in F1 are pretty high and very good, I'd be happy to accept those risks and keep running [without it]."

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He wasn't the only outspoken critic, but in light of Leclerc's incident at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, which saw Fernando Alonso catapulted over Leclerc's car as a result of Hulkenberg missing his braking point, the majority of drivers have come out in support of the halo.

Hulkenberg also admitted it might have done its job at Spa, but said he still felt divided in his opinion on the halo.

"For sure I think it has proven pretty useful and a good device," he said ahead of the Italian GP. 

"We can only speculate what would have happened without it but it looked pretty clear from the point of the tyre mark which were obviously all over the halo, and from point of view it has done a good job to keep the head safe."

He added: "I think while I am still not a big fan of it, I have to see the facts and admit that it does bring something to F1 especially with the safety that we appreciate in the car.

"Divided, mixed feelings about it still but it is not down to me anyway. It is what it is."

Hulkenberg also commented on his 10-place grid penalty which he was handed by the stewards for causing the start crash in Belgium last weekend.

"Obviously it is not going to be an easy weekend carrying that penalty at Monza which is perhaps a difficult track for us but it is what it is.

"We will approach this weekend with an open mind and want to deliver a good weekend, especially to have a good race on Sunday, regardless of where we start or how difficult it might seem."