Vettel feels 'dizzy' behind new safety shield

World championship leader Sebastian Vettel said he felt 'dizzy' while testing Formula One's new safety shield on his Ferrari during Friday morning practice at the British Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion had the car fitted for an installation lap and reported back that he struggled for clear vision.

"I tried it this morning, I got a bit dizzy... The forward vision is not very good," he said.

"I think it's because of the curvature, you get quite a bit of distortion, plus you get quite a bit of downwash down the straight pushing the helmet forward.

"We had another run planned with it, but I didn't like it, so we took it off."

Formula One's ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA), has been looking for the right way to increase head protection for drivers in the last two years.

The shield is due to be tested again at the Italian Grand Prix in September.

© 2017 AFP