After months of debate over the pros and cons of the Halo, the new safety device provided drivers with an unexpected benefit during the Australian Grand Prix.
The Halo, which is designed to offer drivers extra head protection in the event of an accident, made its race debut on all 20 cars on Sunday. After finishing third in Melbourne, Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was asked if it made any difference to his race and said the only noticeable side effect was positive.
"I was no different than in testing or at any other point and I think it definitely doesn't disturb you at all," Raikkonen said. "I think it was helpful here because of the sun; when it's coming in at the right height, it's blocking the sun in the eyes."
The Australian Grand Prix started at 4.10 pm local, which meant the sun was setting during the race. Raikkonen's teammate and race winner Sebastian Vettel agreed it helped with the low light and said the only time he noticed a negative was when he was waving to the fans.
"So, I think it was only beneficial here, and it's safer. Maybe people don't like how it looks but you know, it might make a difference for us one day and it's a good thing to have." "During the race, it was no issue. As Kimi said, it even helped. It worked like a sun visor, so that helped.
"In the parade lap, that's when it was bothering because you couldn't see so well the people in the grandstands. I was trying to find, is it better to look below, or... wasn't tall enough to get above. Other than that, no difference."