Daniel Ricciardo says visibility through Eau Rouge was "not too bad" after experiencing his first taste of the Halo cockpit protection device during Friday practice.
Ricciardo was one of four drivers who tested the Halo system in the opening practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, as further analysis of the device continued ahead of its planned introduction for 2018. Eau Rouge had been one corner of concern regarding potential visibility issues, but the Red Bull driver insists he encountered no problems on his maiden Halo run.
"It is not too bad," Ricciardo said. "It is definitely still a work in progress. The first time I've run it -- I'd only run the aero screen before. So it was definitely different.
"But it was definitely good to test it, and to test it here. That is what we have to keep doing for now, so more drivers can test it before the end of the season. And just getting feedback. So I will give some feedback tonight. We've been given a sheet, a bit of homework.
"First impressions were not too bad. There are still a few things that can be worked on, but it is not unexpected for now. Generally speaking, not too bad."
Ricciardo revealed he struggled with tyre degradation in the hot temperatures at Spa and expects to have to make at least two stops during Sunday's race.
"The super soft today did not really hold up well. We expected that in this heat, and it is such a long lap around here as well, so we don't want to have too many of them for Sunday. We feel that it is going to stay hot like this.
"[A] one stop -- if it is hot like this, is very unlikely. If we get a super hard, maybe, but with the compounds we have it will be at least two pit stops."