Alonso: Why are we debating the halo?

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has added his voice to the halo debate and has insisted that there should be no need for discussion, because the safety of the drivers is more important than anything else.

Discussion continues to rage among teams and fans alike as to the aesthetic appeal of the halo, with figures such as Lewis Hamilton speaking out in the past to say that the days of the attractive F1 car are over as a result.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also caused controversy this week by saying that he wanted to 'take a chainsaw' to the halo, such is his displeasure at being forced into including it in the 2018 car design.

Alonso, however, feels that the conversation should stop, as the halo's introduction was designed to save lives, and so they will be a useful inclusion on the vehicles.

The Spaniard said: "This is a safety device, it's head protection for the drivers, so there should not be any debate on that, as long as it's a safety device.