JOLYON Palmer has described Formula 1’s move to improve cockpit safety as unnecessary.

The sport’s governing body, the FIA, are keen to increase driver head protection and a meeting of the strategy group in Geneva this week gave the go-ahead to develop the so-called ‘shield’.

The shield, a transparent screen which sits in front of the driver, was presented at the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this month, and it has now surpassed the halo, as the FIA’s preferred option.

But Palmer, who drives for the Enstone-based Renault team, is against its introduction.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, Palmer said: “I am pleased that the halo is not coming, but I don’t want the shield either.

“Formula One is safe enough as it is. Drivers would not be racing in it if they were worried for their own safety.

“I prefer the shield to the halo as it is less offensive visually, but it is still not necessary.”

The shield has also caused division in the paddock.

Felipe Massa, from the Grove-based Williams team , is among those in favour, but Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean, from the Haas team in Banbury, joined Palmer in their opposition.