Halo is a risky move for Mansell

HAMILTON: Not hindered by Halo NIGEL MANSELL fears the introduction of the new halo protection system will harm the sport as a spectacle.

The safety innovation has infuriated fans for making it harder for drivers to see and be seen, and Mansell admits he is torn over its use.

Motor racing is ultimately about one thing: speed. But since the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola in 1994, the F1 authorities have used regulations to try to ensure the cars are as safe as they are fast.

“Obviously, the device cannot be criticised from the point of view of safety and from the FIA’s point of view they are trying to save lives, so it should work very well,” Mansell told Express Sport.

But the 1992 world champion added that there was something to be said for preserving the risk factor as well. “As a professional and an ex-race car driver, I have to say there have to be some acceptable risks,” he said. “We did not have a protection mount for 40 to 50-odd years of F1 and it’s a shame you will now not be able to see the driver quite as well as you did before.

“Under the high cockpits that have come in over the last few years you see less and less of the driver, while in the old days you would enjoy seeing them working at the steering wheel. As a race fan, I simply don’t like it.

“Also, the driver does not have perfect vision and, while you can say it is minimal, the ‘blind’ spot is definitely not 100 per cent vision.”

Lewis Hamilton, for all his complaints about “the worst looking mod in Formula One”, seems not to be hindered by it if his testing times are any guide.

Mansell believes Hamilton is a “red-hot favourite” for the Australian Grand Prix and the world champion reinforced his credentials in Barcelona with the fastest lap of last week’s four-day testing period in his Mercedes.

“Lewis is clearly the favourite going into 2018,” Mansell said.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for him to win a fifth world crown.” MANSELL: Concern