Nico Rosberg to test 'halo' in free practice at Spa

Mercedes has revealed world championship leader Lewis Hamilton is "likely" to face penalties this weekend at Spa. We reported earlier that the British driver was in fact more likely to take his unscheduled sixth engine - and therefore a grid penalty - at Monza, where it is even easier to overtake.

But Mercedes said on Wednesday that the penalties are "likely" at Spa-Francorchamps, with confirmation "expected tomorrow". And British newspapers said Hamilton could actually move not 10 places down the grid at Spa but a full 20, as Mercedes uses the opportunity to 'double up' with two engine changes to get Hamilton through the remaining 9 races of 2016.

Meanwhile, a Mercedes spokesman told us reports that Nico Rosberg will test the 'halo' device on his Mercedes in Spa practice on Friday are correct. It comes after F1 race director Charlie Whiting said he wants every driver on the grid to test the cockpit protection in the coming months.

"What we are looking to do is make it clear that every driver has to try it for a whole free practice session during the course of this year," he said. "That would give us a proper way of going forward, to make sure that we don't get caught out by something that is very hard to change back," added Whiting.

Rosberg's run on Friday will be particularly interesting, with many fearing an unique corner like Eau Rouge could raise new visibility issues with the halo device. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

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

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

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

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,529
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 231
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar