Massa uses Leclerc's halo escape to bash IndyCar safety

Felipe Massa took aim at the safety standards in IndyCar, while praising F1's efforts to improve driver protection after Charles Leclerc walked away unscathed from a big crash at the Belgian Grand Prix. Massa's comments are framed by the fate of IndyCar driver Robert Wickens, recovering in hospital after suffering multiple injuries at Pocono Speedway two weeks ago.

Leclerc emerged unharmed after Fernando Alonso was sent flying over his cockpit - the halo of his Sauber clearly deflecting part of the McLaren's chassis and front-right tyre away from Leclerc.

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Wickens suffered fractures to both his legs, his spine and right arm after being sent spinning airborne into a catch fence in a collision with Ryan Hunter-Reay - it is still unknown if Wickens will recover to drive again.

Massa famously suffered a serious head injury when a loose spring hit him during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix and missed the remainder of that season.

Although Massa's incident was often held up by the FIA as the kind of incident that the halo would not necessarily help prevent, the Brazilian says Leclerc's lucky escape puts F1 in a better light.

When you see all the accidents that happens in @F1 and @IndyCar in the last years . We can say that @F1 is always trying to improve with (HALO , Track Changes , virtual safety car etc to improve safety ) and @IndyCar is not doing much ... — Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) August 27, 2018

It’s unbelievable to see a circuit like Pocono , average speed around 360km and you see the walls lower like that , with the fences , so so dangerous for the safety!!! Sorry to say that, but they need to look for safety of the drivers... @robertwickens @IndyCar — Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) August 27, 2018