Nico Rosberg says he is "all for" the Halo safety concept and thinks it will look better on Formula One cars given time.
Amid much intrigue on Thursday morning Ferrari did a single lap with the Halo installed on its car, a similar design to one being considered for implementation for 2017. Last month the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) called for the introduction of more cockpit protection by next year at the latest.
Halo's debut led to much debate on social media, with many criticising the way the concept looked when attached to the Ferrari. There was also speculation about how much the driver would be able to see, though Kimi Raikkonen reported visibility was "OK" after his lap.
After completing 81 laps in the morning, Rosberg tweeted his opinion on the matter, saying it is a step in the right direction in terms of safety.
MY OPINION: Massive safety improvement. It will look ok too eventually. I'M ALL FOR IT! pic.twitter.com/ONVbZYfjAp
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) March 3, 2016
Last year former F1 driver Justin Wilson was killed by a flying piece of debris at an IndyCar race. His death came just a month after Jules Bianchi succumbed to the brain injuries sustained in a collision with a recovery vehicle at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Though the FIA investigation into Bianchi's crash found a closed cockpit would not have changed the outcome, the accident reignited the argument about driver safety in open wheel racing.