The halo system on a Ferrari SF71H driven by Kimi Räikkönen during pre-season testing in February 2018

The halo is a driver crash-protection system used in open-wheel racing series, which consists of a curved bar placed above the driver's head to protect it.

The first tests of the halo were carried out in 2016 and in July 2017. Since the 2018 season the FIA has made the halo mandatory on every vehicle in Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Regional, Formula E and also Formula 4 as a new safety measure.[1] Some other open-wheel racing series also utilize the halo, such as IndyCar Series, Indy NXT, Super Formula, Super Formula Lights, Euroformula Open and Australian S5000. The IndyCar halo is used as a structural frame for the aeroscreen.

Construction

The device consists of a bar that surrounds the driver's head and is connected by three points to the vehicle frame. The halo is made of titanium and weighed around 7 kilograms (15 lb) in the version presented in 2016, then rose to 9 kilograms (20 lb) in 2017.[2]

The system is not developed by the teams, but is manufactured by three approved external manufacturers chosen by the FIA and has the same specification for all vehicles.[3]

In a simulation performed by the FIA, using the data of 40 real incidents, the use of the system led to a 17% theoretical increase in the survival rate of the driver.[4]

History and development

Early Development

In 2009, 2 major accidents happened in top level fia open wheel series. These being the fatal accident of Henry Surtees at the Brands Hatch round of the 2009 Formula 2 season, and the accident Felipe Massa sustained during qualifying at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. These accidents lead to a push for additional cockpit protection[5].

Inititially the FIA looked into the developement of closed cockpit systems, visors, and forward Roll structures[6]. "Fighter-jet style" screens were largely seen as the least effective early due to problems with flexing too much or shattering, depending on material used.

During development, the FIA examined three fundamental scenarios—collision between two vehicles, contact between a vehicle and the surrounding environment (such as barriers) and collisions with vehicles and debris. Tests have shown that the halo system can significantly reduce the risk of injury to the driver. In many cases the system was able to prevent the helmet from coming into contact with a barrier when checked against a series of accidents that had occurred in the past. During the study of the last case it was found that the halo was able to deflect large objects and provide greater protection against smaller debris.[7]

Halo system at the Spark SRT05e. The halo for the Gen2 car includes a strip of LED lights that indicate the level of power mode the car is in (blue for ATTACK MODE and magenta for Fanboost).

In August 2017 the Dallara F2 2018, a new Formula 2 car, was presented and was the first to install the halo system.[8] The SRT05e Formula E car presented in January 2018 had a halo.[9] In November 2018, the 2019 FIA Formula 3 car, which was unveiled in Abu Dhabi, installed the halo too.[10] Beginning in 2021, the Indy Lights' IL-15 began using the halo.[11]

Alternative systems

As an alternative to the halo system, Red Bull Advanced Technologies developed the transparent "aeroscreen".[12] The design, which was similar to a small fairing, did not receive much interest from the FIA. After the drivers had expressed their opposition to the introduction of the halo system, the FIA developed "Shield", a transparent polyvinyl chloride screen.[13] In 2019 the aeroscreen was adapted to use the halo as a structural frame for use in IndyCar.[12]

Sebastian Vettel was the first and only driver to try Shield in a Formula 1 car. During the free practice for the 2017 British Grand Prix, he completed a lap with the new system before ending the test early. He complained of distorted and blurred vision that prevented him from driving.[14] Its introduction was subsequently excluded, as there was no guarantee that the issues with Shield could be solved in time for the 2018 season.[15]

Initial reception

The system aroused some criticism before it was involved in any incidents, including that of Niki Lauda, who claimed that the system distorted the "essence of racing cars".[16] The system was also initially unpopular with fans, with some saying that it was visually unappealing, against the concept of open-cockpit racing, and obstructed the driver's vision.[17] There were more saftey based concerns from both some of the race teams including Ferrari and Mercedes, and some drivers stating the invention would make it “harder for the driver to get out of the car”.[18] Though, other former drivers, including Jackie Stewart, welcomed the system and compared it to the introduction of seat belts, which had been similarly criticised, but then became the norm also on road cars.[19] Max Verstappen did not support the introduction of the halo in 2018, saying that it "abused the DNA" of F1, which was "less dangerous than riding a bicycle in a city."[20] However, the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix is the last crash that inspired engineers to fix the big problem: the fatality rate.[21]

Cost

The halo also changed how much the companies spend on the car. Economically within the FIA, the teams had a big issue with the price because a single halo cost somewhere between 13,000 and 24,000 euros. Each team has two drivers so the teams would have to spend double that amount for both drivers.[22] To put into perspective, each team would spend roughly 48,000 euros which is about 50,270 United States Dollars just for the halo and not the rest of the car. Additionally, they would have to perform many tests to make sure that it is durable and safe to use. Formula One does not really create profit from the race and they only do it because they want to advertise their name; thus, spending that amount of money on the halo comes as a surprise according to Force India technical boss, Andy Green.[22]

Incidents

Despite initial criticism, the halo was praised by the community following an incident where the halo was struck by another car—one in the Formula 2 race at Spain, where Tadasuke Makino's halo was landed on by fellow Japanese driver Nirei Fukuzumi's car, and one in the Belgian Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc's halo was struck by Fernando Alonso's airborne McLaren, with both of their haloes showing visible damage from the impact. Both Makino and Leclerc credited the halo for possibly saving their lives, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who had criticised the halo earlier in the season, said that saving Leclerc from injury made the halo "worth it" despite its "terrible aesthetics".[23][24]

The halo was credited with potentially saving the life of Alex Peroni after his vehicle became airborne and crashed during a Formula 3 event at Monza on 7 September 2019.[25] It also played a critical role in protecting Romain Grosjean at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix where, after hitting Daniil Kvyat's car, he crashed into the barriers head-on. The car split the crash barrier, allowing the car to slip through in between and splitting off the back of the car from the safety cell. The halo deflected the upper section of the barrier, protecting Grosjean's head from the impact. Despite initial concern over drivers being unable to evacuate quickly due to the halo, Grosjean was able to climb out largely unassisted, despite the car catching fire upon impact with the barrier. He emerged from the flames with burns on his hands and ankles.[26] "I wasn't for the halo some years ago, but I think it's the greatest thing that we've brought to Formula 1, and without it I wouldn't be able to speak with you today," Grosjean said.[27] In a similar pre-halo accident at the 1974 United States Grand Prix, driver Helmuth Koinigg was decapitated.[28]

At the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collided. Verstappen's wheel landed on the halo protecting Hamilton's head, with Hamilton later saying it "saved my neck".[29] At the 2022 British Grand Prix, Zhou Guanyu said the halo saved his life after his Alfa Romeo flipped over, spun and careered over the tyre barrier, because the roll hoop collapsed as soon as it hit the tarmac.[30] Before Zhou's incident, during the Formula 2 feature race earlier in the day, the halo potentially saved the life of Roy Nissany after a collision with Dennis Hauger. Hauger's car was catapulted by a sausage kerb after being forced off the track by Nissany, then crashed on to the top of Nissany's car.[31]

The halo also potentially saved Nyck de Vries' life after a multi-car collision in the opening lap of the first 2022 Seoul ePrix that also involved Oliver Turvey, Dan Ticktum, Oliver Askew, André Lotterer, Sébastien Buemi, Norman Nato, and Nick Cassidy. De Vries' car submarined under Buemi's car as it lost control into a wall, only for Lotterer to hit de Vries from behind, in particular due to a combination of poor track visibility and a wet road. De Vries came out unscathed, praised the halo, and commented that "I would be even smaller than I am" without it.[32]

The halo also potentially saved the lives of Zane Maloney and Oliver Goethe during the sixth lap of the 2022 Spa-Francorchamps Formula 3 round Sprint Race. Goethe's car hit a barrier on the exit of Blanchimont, forcing his car to flip upside down and land on that of Maloney's. Both drivers were escorted out of their cars with Maloney suffering from only minor bruises on his hands.

At the 2023 Baku Formula 2 round the halo was credited with saving Jehan Daruvala's life after his car went under Victor Martins’ car during a safety restart. Daruvala said "I had nowhere to go and I'm glad the halo was here today".

References

  1. ↑ "The FIA approves Formula 1's first supplier to the Halo". F1i.com. 16 January 2018. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "Halo strong enough to hold a bus, say Mercedes". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "How to Make an F1 Halo". fia.com. 3 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  4. ↑ Richards, Giles (22 July 2017). "FIA defends decision to enforce F1 halo cockpit protection device for 2018". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Analysis: Could F1 canopies work?". RACER. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Association, Press (22 July 2011). "Closed-cockpit cars could be introduced by F1 to protect drivers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Presenting the facts behind Halo" (video). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "Formula 2 unveils 2018 car with Halo". www.motorsport.com. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Formula E reveals second-generation car". www.motorsport.com. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "FIA Formula 3 car unveiled in Abu Dhabi". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 22 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  11. ↑ Pruett, Marshall (7 October 2020). "Revamped Indy Lights to return in 2021". Racer. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  12. 1 2 "IndyCar Red Bull aeroscreen use could give it new F1 chance". autosport.com. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "FIA working on Halo alternative 'Shield'". FormulaPassion.it (in Italian). 8 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "Vettel says Shield made him "dizzy" in test run". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  15. ↑ Loewenberg, Gabriel (20 July 2017). "Formula One Opts for the Halo Over the Shield for 2018". The Drive. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  16. ↑ Noble, Jonathan. "Niki Lauda: Halo destroys efforts to boost Formula 1's popularity". Autosport.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  17. ↑ Williams, Richard (19 March 2018). "Halo could be most effective method yet devised to reduce F1's appeal". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "What is F1 Halo, when it was introduced and how does it save lives?". Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  19. ↑ Kalinauckas, Alex. "Jackie Stewart: F1 halo critics are like 1960s safety backlash". Autosport.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  20. ↑ Kirby, Cameron (21 March 2018). "FIA 'abusing DNA' of F1 with halo: Verstappen". WhichCar.
  21. ↑ "F1 British Grand Prix: What is halo and how does it save lives?". 4 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Report: F1 'Halo' device could cost teams nearly $30,000". Autoweek. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  23. ↑ Benyon, Jack; Mitchell, Scott (14 May 2018). "Makino believes halo saved his life in F2 crash". motorsport.com.
  24. ↑ Richards, Giles (27 August 2018). "Charles Leclerc pays tribute to halo after walking away from Belgian GP crash". The Guardian.
  25. ↑ Maher, Thomas (7 September 2019). "Gasly: Peroni crash has changed my mind on Halo". FormulaSpy. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  26. ↑ Richards, Giles (29 November 2020). "Romain Grosjean's 'life saved' by halo after remarkable escape at Bahrain GP". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  27. ↑ "Haas F1 Team on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  28. ↑ Katz, Michael (7 October 1974). "Driver Is Killed as Fittipaldi Wins Title at Watkins Glen". New York Times. p. 45.
  29. ↑ Emons, Michael (12 September 2021). "'Halo' saved my life - Hamilton". BBC Sport. I feel very fortunate today. Thank God for the halo which saved me, and saved my neck.
  30. ↑ Morgan, Tom (3 July 2022). "Zhou Guanyu's life saved by Halo after death-defying British Grand Prix horror crash". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  31. ↑ "'That is a life saved' - F2 driver survives horrific crash thanks to Halo". Crash. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  32. ↑ Boxall-Legge, Jake (14 August 2022). "De Vries "would be even smaller" without halo after Seoul E-Prix crash". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
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