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Mercedes, Toro Rosso, Force India and Red Bull test out the Halo

Four teams run the unit during Friday practice for the Belgian GP

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Four teams trialed the the Halo head protection device in the first practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix, including Nico Rosberg for Mercedes.

Mercedes, Force India and Toro Rosso have become the latest teams to try out the Halo safety device.

Nico Rosberg, Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz ran the unit in Friday practice at Spa with Mercedes driver setting the fastest time of Practice One for this weekend's Belgian GP with the device attached to his W07 car.

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 26: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM09 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo fitted with the halo

Although the sport has scrapped plans to introduce the cockpit protection component for next season, the FIA, the sport's governing body, still want the Halo to be brought in for 2018.

Rosberg said: "The team have done a great job on the Halo. It doesn't disturb me when driving. I could go fast straight away and even set the best time of the session with it this morning, so I think that was a success."

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo also ran the Halo on Friday at Spa. The former world champions had previously trialled the unit during a test session at Silverstone in July.

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"From a visibility point of view, it wasn't too bad," reported Red Bull boss Christian Horner. "There were some restrictions around the side but it is a work in progress."

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 26:  Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP sits in his car fitted with the halo in the garage during practice for the Formula One G

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