Kimi Raikkonen has become the first Formula One driver to run with the Halo closed cockpit system.

Raikkonen tested the cockpit protection device during yesterday morning’s testing in Spain – the first time the system has been seen on an F1 car during a public session.

The Halo, which features a single column down the centre, is designed to shield drivers from flying debris.

Raikkonen tested the Halo for two laps at the Circuit de Catalunya before his team removed the installation.

“The halo is currently the preferred solution among a number being considered by Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, for potential introduction in 2017, in order to offer better protection for the driver’s head,” www.formula1.com reported.

The FIA believes the Halo – a concept originally developed by Mercedes – could stop certain types of debris from reaching the driver in incidents such as that which led to the death of Indy Car star Justin Wilson last August.

The governing body has explored a number of designs aimed at protecting drivers from flying debris after Felipe Massa was struck by a spring from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian GP.

Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 world champion John Surtees, was killed in the same summer after he was hit on the crash helmet by an errant tyre while competing in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch.

Jules Bianchi also succumbed last July to the devastating injuries he sustained at the Japanese GP in October 2014, although it is not believed improved head protection would have saved him.