The Mercedes driver ran the device, which is to be introduced into F1 in 2018, for about half the first practice session and set the fastest time with it on the auto.
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The halo was again trialled by Formula one teams in an attempt to find a solution for head injuries for open cockpit drivers.
His team-mate Nico Rosberg, whom he leads by 19 points in the world championship, has also taken a new power unit for the race.
Doing so at Spa means that, theoretically, less damage will be done than taking a penalty in, say, Singapore.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team had been weighing up whether to take the grid drop here at Spa-Francorchamps or at next Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, with both circuits expected to offer him the best chance of fighting back through the field.
Hamilton has been hit with a 30-place grid penalty after Mercedes opted to make a host of unpermitted changes to his engine.
Four drivers tested the halo safety device in Friday free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix, including Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg. Hamilton’s penalty will only apply to this race. Fernando Alonso’s morning lasted for just three laps, with a water leak curtailing his running – a disappointing start with Honda’s upgraded power unit and the fact the Spaniard came into the weekend hoping to spring a surprise on some of McLaren’s nearest rivals.
“I feel OK. It is going to be an interesting Sunday”, said Hamilton.
Having previously indicated they would elect to trigger his long-anticipated demotion in either Belgium or at next week’s Italian GP at overtaking-friendly Monza, Mercedes is expected to fit Hamilton’s auto with at least two new engines whenever the penalty is taken.
“When I went up to first position in the second practice the fans were all cheering me on with their flags”.
Mercedes has yet to confirm whether the penalty will be taken in Spa, where a win for Rosberg would give him 25 points and, depending on Hamilton’s result, even out the championship standings.
The 31-year-old is bidding for his 50th grand prix win and while the penalty means he will nearly certainly have to wait until at least Monza, he has shown ample skill in recovery drives in the past.
The push for increased head protection has gathered urgency following the deaths a year ago of Briton Justin Wilson, hit by debris in an IndyCar crash, and Frenchman Jules Bianchi who had suffered ultimately fatal injuries at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
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“I really don’t know how far I can get up, it depends on the pace of the other cars”, said Hamilton. Hamilton had some bad luck at the start of the season and now he will have to add a sixth or seventh or even a eighth element to those units.
