Ricciardo warns of 'extra second' to get out of the car due to halo

As we approach the start of the 2018 F1 season where the halo device will be used competitively for the first time, Daniel Ricciardo has warned of the 'extra second' in which in takes driver to get out of the vehicle due to the safety frame.

The halo device is mandatory on all F1 vehicles from this season onwards and is designed to protect the head of drivers via a frame which will block any potential falling debris following an accident.

It has been called "ugly" by many drivers and fans alike, with the issue of driver visibility also an issue. However, Ricciardo has claimed that the biggest issue is that it takes one more second to get out of the car than usual, which could prove vital if an accident were to occur on the track.

“It was talked about a lot, let’s just say, through all the period in trying to find head protection stuff,” Ricciardo told The New Daily.

"With us getting out of the car we have to do a test ourselves before every season and compared to no halo it took – it normally took me five seconds to jump out – now it took me six seconds.

“So it’s an extra second, which is obviously slightly longer, but it is not massive and all the marshals have been trained to deal with it.

“They’re on top of it and now it is what it is.”

The major complaints about the halo have pointed to its alleged aesthetically unpleasing look on the vehicles, but Ricciardo thinks that even though he thinks spotting the helmets is one of the main drawbacks, it won't change the racing.

“It is ugly, but it is not going to change the racing,” the Australian contiued.

“It is going to be hard to spot the helmets actually, to spot the driver difference, but they’ll hopefully find a solution to that so the fans can see who is out leading throughout the race.”