The Halo has saved many lives in Formula 1 and it is hard to imagine F1 without it; but when it first appeared drivers hated it, fans mocked it, and many even booed it.
So, how did it go from hated to heroic?
Why it was Introduced
After fatal accidents like Jules Bianchi (2014) and Henry Surtees (2009), the FIA finally began investing in head protection systems. They came to the decision that many preventable deaths occurred in racing history and that something must be done about it.
The Halo, a titanium structure that protects the drivers’ head, emerged as the safest option.
The Backlash
Despite it being introduced for safety purposes, at the launch in 2018 many were against it. People called it “ugly”, and even drivers weren’t overly fond. For example, Sebastian Vettel said it was a “sad day for F1.”
The general consensus was that it took away from F1’s originality and that it was just unnecessary.
However, this all changed when even more accidents happened during some races.
Bahrain 2020
During the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean spun out of the race. His car split the barrier and then exploded into flames. He was immediately engulfed in fire, eventually managing to escape. However, without the Halo, he would have been seriously injured or probably even decapitated and killed.
During the ordeal, the Halo hit the barrier and bent the steel. This protected his head and fortunately he walked away with just burns.
The Halo earned its respect in one crash.
Other Lives it has Thankfully Saved
Racing is dangerous, and so accidents are going to happen. It’s part of what you sign up for the moment you get your racing license. Now, the Halo has not just saved a driver on one occasion; there have been many times where the safety advancement has saved countless people.
Silverstone 2022
In the 2022 British Grand Prix, Zhou Guanyu was involved in a serious accident. The car had flipped many times and then landed upside down. The car skidded along the track floor until it crashed into the fence. Luckily, the Halo was there to take the damage, instead of his neck.
Monza 2021
Once again, another driver also faced some danger on the track. During the 2021 race, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided. This caused Verstappen to drive over Hamilton’s car. His wheel was directly above Hamilton’s head in the cockpit. Fortunately, the Halo blocked it and took the blow instead.
The Bottom Line
Combined with other safety advancements in motorsport, the Halo is extremely important when keeping drivers safe.
A previously looked down upon addition to Formula 1 is now one of the things that saves so many people. No one questions it. The Halo is now standard in F1, F2, IndyCar and even Formula E.
Overall, it has proved that change isn’t always a bad thing.
What do you think? Did we miss any races that the Halo made safer?