Magnussen: "F1 has to put safety before sexy"

F1 must defer to "safety" over "sexy" when it comes to preventing more deaths, according to Kevin Magnussen. It emerged after a meeting in Monaco last week that the sport has now decided to push ahead with introducing the controversial 'halo' concept for cockpit protection in 2017.

It is believed the 2017 version will be made of titanium and more elegant than the 'halo' tested by Ferrari earlier this season, but many preferred Red Bull's alternative 'aeroscreen' concept. "It's hard to judge without having tried them," Renault driver Magnussen told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet. "The screen looks nicer than the halo, but fortunately it's not up to me to make these decisions."

As for claims the cockpit coverings are too ugly for a sport that should be attractive and glamorous, Magnussen answered: "Formula one should be sexy, but we also need to do everything we can for safety. I don't really want it, but I also don't want myself or anyone else to die. So if it helps with safety then you have to introduce it," he said.

What Magnussen is fully supportive of are in the new tyre and chassis regulations for 2017. "I think the cars should be faster," he agreed. "They've been getting slower and slower since 2004 while safety has been getting better and better. I would have preferred that while safety is going up, so too is the speed of the cars." (GMM)

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Maybe he should try some other sport.

    • + 0
    • Jun 1 2016 - 15:52
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Meaning that F1 is and has always been an open wheel and open cockpit racing series. If someone isn't interested in participating because they think it is too dangerous they should just move on to something that they feel comfortable doing. Golf might suit him better.

    • + 0
    • Jun 2 2016 - 00:32

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country DK
  • Date of b. Oct 5 1992 (33)
  • Place of b. Roskilde, DK
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar