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Charlie Whiting has defended Formula 1's controversial Halo safety innovation, following a scary rollover crash in Abu Dhabi for Nico Hulkenberg.
"Get me out of here, there's fire!" the German driver said on the radio after his Renault rolled over in the 2018 season finale.
'I could not get out by myself'
Hulkenberg admitted that the Halo prevented him from quickly escaping.
READ: FIA working on better-looking Halo safety device
"I could not get out by myself. On the right was the wall, on the left was the Halo," said the Renault driver.
"I don't know how different it would have been without the Halo. I can't answer that," Hulkenberg said.
FIA race director Whiting, however, defended the safety device.
'We have to put up with it'
"Halo was even helpful in the event of a rollover, because there is more distance from the driver to the track," he said.
As for whether Halo impeded his recovery, though, Whiting answered: "It is the routine procedure to put the car back on all four wheels, which of course must be done carefully.
"After that he was able to get out by himself. The whole situation was under control and the doctor was happy with the process," he added.
"Either way, the Halo is there, so we have to put up with it," Hulkenberg concluded.