Hamilton slams Halo as "worst-looking mod in F1 history"
Lewis Hamilton has slammed the 'Halo' closed cockpit concept as the 'worst looking' modification in the history of Formula 1.

On the back of a wave of criticism from drivers and onlookers about how the Halo design trialled by Kimi Raikkonen was not right for F1, Hamilton went on the attack on Thursday evening.
In a post on Instagram that featured a photograph of Kimi Raikkonen's car, Hamilton declared: “Please no! This is the worst looking mod in Formula 1 history. I appreciate the quest for safety but this is Formula 1, and the way it is now is perfectly fine.”
Wrong direction
Hamilton's outspoken remarks come against the backdrop of a sense of mounting frustrations from drivers about the direction that F1 is heading in.
As well as a number of criticisms about the Halo design, the drivers made it clear in a meeting with F1 race director Charlie Whiting on Wednesday that they were unhappy about plans to change qualifying.
There is also a growing sense of unease about the lack of challenge the current cars are delivering, and how over-complicated rules are detracting from the spectacle.
Fernando Alonso expressed exacerbation on Thursday night about the fiasco regarding qualifying, and the direction F1's rules had taken it.
“It's sad. I am sad,” he said.
"I am sad for the sport because... it doesn't look right, from the outside. When in one week, we change the qualifying format three times - or pretend to change, no one officialised anything.
"If I was a sportsman from another sport, I would look at Formula 1 a bit surprised about that. I don't think it's right - and the changes, too many changes. The complexity of the rules, also for the spectators, is quite high.
"All my friends here in Spain, they want to switch on television, watch battles, big cars, big tyres, big noise and enjoy the race, like they do with other sports.
"But for us they only know MGU-H, MGU-K, state of charge, supersoft, use mandatory mediums. Things like that... it's no wonder they switch off the television."

Previous article
Williams won't run 2016 nose at Barcelona
Next article
Grosjean says Haas needs quick fix for braking issues

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Lewis Hamilton |
Teams | Mercedes |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Hamilton slams Halo as "worst-looking mod in F1 history"
Trending
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.