These moments when the halo saved lives

So much criticized, so much criticized, but so effective. Mandatory in Formula 1 since 2018, this imposing carbon piece located above the drivers’ heads proves to be very efficient. Implemented after the tragic death of Jules Bianchi in 2014, this technology has proven itself since its introduction. However, its presence was not desired.

« It’s a terrible element. We showed it during a staff meeting. It’s a huge piece of metal, too heavy, that looks completely alien, and I would love to cut it if I could! But we have to think about the safety of the drivers and if there’s an element that can help protect their lives, it must be put on the car », said Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes, in 2017.

But since this statement, things have changed. On several occasions, this terrible element has saved numerous lives, including Lewis Hamilton’s, last year.

2018, the Spa carnage

Spa-Francorchamps. The start of the Belgian Grand Prix is always a stressful moment. On one hand, because the drivers race on a legendary circuit, and on the other hand, because the first turn is often the cause of accidents.

For the inaugural year of the halo, it proved decisive. At the start, a major accident is caused by Nico Hülkenberg. He crashes into the back of Fernando Alonso’s McLaren Honda, which takes off before landing on the Sauber Alfa Romeo of a certain Charles Leclerc.

If, at the time, there is nothing to suggest the drama we have just narrowly avoided, it is the post-accident images that will prove the usefulness of the safety feature. The white paint has been erased in some places and replaced by the black marks from the Pirelli tires of car number 14. Without the presence of the halo, the wheel of the McLaren would have struck the helmet of the Monégasque squarely.

Bahrain 2020, the miraculously saved Grosjean

This is certainly the most violent accident in the last 10 to 15 years, if not more. Shortly after the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix 2020, Romain Grosjean came within inches of death.

As he was overtaking his competitors in front of him, the Frenchman moves aside but doesn’t see Daniil Kvyat in his blind spot. The AlphaTauri becomes a ramp for the Haas, which crashes into the barrier at over 200 km/h. Romain Grosjean’s white car instantly bursts into flames.

Amazing animation of Romain Grosjean’s crash, showing how the Halo safety device saved his life 🙏

(via @crashalong_f1) pic.twitter.com/2llW1ZpLfS

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 18, 2021

After reviewing the scene, the videos show that the metal barriers bend at the moment of impact with the halo, thus protecting the head of the French driver. Once again, without the presence of this ultra-resistant component, the current Indycar driver would most likely have been decapitated.

But this room could also have caused his death because in order to escape from the blaze, the native of Geneva had to squeeze through the debris like a cat and found himself stuck for a few seconds because of the halo.

2021, a championship that could have turned into a tragedy.

That season, he proved helpful on two occasions. The first was at Silverstone following the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. After a contact between the two men at Copse, the Dutchman went flying into the tire wall at over 300 km/h. The impact was measured at over 51G.

Once again, the halo has proven its effectiveness as it bore the scars of the accident. The tires, which are supposed to ensure the safety of the drivers, could have violently collided with the reigning world champion’s helmet, which could have caused him serious injuries.

A few races later, it’s at Monza that the carbon piece saved a life. An accident, still with the same men, occurs. In the first chicane, Verstappen tries to overtake Hamilton who closes the door. The Red Bull takes off due to the sausage kerb, greatly helped by the rear wheels of the Mercedes.

The Dutch then landed on the roof of car number 44. One of the front wheels touched the helmet of the Briton, but the rest of the car was held back by the halo. In this incident, the entire single-seater sponsored by the famous energy drink could have crushed the helmet of the seven-time world champion.

2022, Zhou miraculously survived.

After the departure, the Chinese was inadvertently sent barrel-rolling and slid on the roof for several tens of meters. If one of the safety elements, the roll bar, broke, the halo remained intact. It protected the Alfa Romeo driver throughout the slide, preventing his helmet from contacting the ground.

If this carbon part didn’t exist, no one knows in what condition the pilot, who is in his first season in the premier category, would be.

Earlier in the day, the halo also demonstrated its usefulness during the Formula 2 race. A collision between Roy Nissany and Dennis Hauger could have turned into a tragedy without its presence.

Both Roy Nissany and Dennis Hauger walked away from this scary incident #BritishGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/URWV64LGQe

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 3, 2022

(I) I find it simply incredible that one can come out of it. You know, we sometimes criticize the FIA, but in these cases, you have to give them credit for the help they have provided us. And if you see the crash in F2, what happened with the halo, they probably saved two lives », Carlos Sainz confided after the race.

The mindsets have changed.

Over the years, this certainly unattractive but highly effective piece has changed mindsets. Criticized upon its arrival, it has become essential and now the skeptics are the first to praise its effectiveness.

“The halo definitely saved Lewis Hamilton’s life today. It would have been a horrific accident that I don’t even want to think about if we hadn’t had the halo,” stated Toto Wolff after Monza 2021.

“I wasn’t in favor of the halo a few years ago, but now I think it’s the coolest thing in F1 because without it, I wouldn’t be here today to talk to you,” Romain Grosjean declared after his accident in 2020.