Motorsport: Mercedes set to test halo system at Spa

Lewis Hamilton gets a pit stop. Photo / Getty Images

Formula One champions Mercedes will test out the halo driver head protection system on Saturday at Belgian Grand Prix practice, motorsport.com reported on Thursday.

Although F1 bosses decided in July to shelve the idea until 2018, testing will continue and German driver Nico Rosberg is in line to try the device at Spa.

One of the reasons the halo would not be introduced next season was because it was felt it was not yet perfect and needed more testing.

There are worries over driver visibility, especially during elevation changes, meaning the famous up-and-down track at Spa offers a great opportunity for trying it out.

The halo, which fits over the cockpit but is anchored to the body of the car in front of the driver, is meant to prevent objects striking the helmet following a series of fatal or near-fatal incidents in recent years.

Ferrari and Red Bull have already tested the device in practice sessions this season but Red Bull say they prefer their aeroscreen idea, effectively a mini-windscreen which others have said is not yet safe enough.