After a controversial introduction to the F1 world, the new safety device of the Halo was neither welcomed nor turned away. However, many despised the mandatory safety device and labelled it as "closing the cockpit", "ruining the sport" and all round "ugly"! But after saving at least one life throughout its debut season, is the Halo now welcomed with open arms?
At the season opener in Melbourne last year, the Halo was highly criticised for closing the cockpit and limiting the drivers view. Many of the drivers on the grid commented on the safety feature, one being Max Verstappen who said,"It's not just the looks, I just don't think its necessary." Pierre Gasly also commented saying, "I'm not going to lie, I don't like it. But that's what we have and honestly when you drive, you don't really see it." Kevin Magnussen also contributed to the Halo debate, "It's difficult to get into the car, difficult to get out of the car, difficult to get the steering wheel on and off, just awkward and annoying." Mercedes team principle, Toto Wolff, shared his extreme view "If you give me a chainsaw I would take it off."
However, others were slightly more enthusiastic towards the halo with Carlos Sainz stating, "It’s difficult to get in and out of the car because of it. But if it saves one life in 10 years, every person in the paddock will be grateful.” Alonso was also vocal in the debate in which he said, "Again, this is a safety device, it’s head protection for the drivers, so there should not be any debate on that, as long as it’s a safety device."
So has the Halo done its job?
Throughout the season many crashes have occurred, some more scary than others. One major crash this season was on the opening lap of Spa which included Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc. In which, Alonso's car was launched in the air after being hit by Nico Hulkenberg, which led to the Spaniards front-right wheel to pummel Leclerc's Halo. With tire marks as proof of where the impact would have occurred it's safe to say, one close call was avoided...
Another huge crash in the final race of the season was Nico Hulkenberg in Abu Dhabi, consisting of multiple barrel rolls in the black and yellow Renault, the RS18 landed upside down against the barriers. With flames pluming out of the rear of the Renault, Hulkenberg retreated to his radio with a sense of urgency saying: "I'm hanging here like a cow. Get me out, there's fire. There's fire!"
With Nico Hulkenberg hanging upside down in his Renault against the barriers, the marshals had to be sure there was no spinal injuries before eventually flipping the car over in order to actually extract him. The Halo may not have been the easiest to get out of however, the car was upside down and even without the Halo the extraction would have been tricky.
After the dramatic end to Hulkenberg's race, which ended abruptly on lap 1, the German explained as to why he couldn't escape as quickly as he would've wanted: "To the right I had the barrier and then there was a very small gap. When you’re upside down it’s not so easy to find all the buttons because everything feels very different. It’s the first time for me to end up in a car on its roof. I was just sitting tight and waiting for the marshals and they reacted very quickly and got me out.” Hulkenberg, who was also against the Halo, concluded with, "Either way, the Halo is there, so we have to put up with it."
Charlie Whiting, FIA Race Director, defended the Halo saying "The Halo is helpful in the event of a rollover, because there is more distance from the driver to the track." He also commented on whether it impeded Hulkenberg's extraction, "It is the routine procedure to put the car back on all four wheels, which of course must be done carefully. After that he was able to get out by himself. The whole situation was under control and the doctor was happy with the process."
The Halo has proved its uses throughout the season and has saved many lives not only in Formula 1 but also in other racing categories such as Formula 2. In the F2 race in Barcelona, another near miss occurred between Tadasuke Makino and Nirei Fukuzumi. The event took place on the 5th lap of the race in which, Fukuzumi’s left-rear wheel hit Makino’s halo, the engine cover and sidepod were also scarred from the impact. Fukuzumi’s car landed next to Makino’s and both went into the gravel. Fortunately, neither driver was injured.
Makino, who initially wasn't in favour of the Halo, praised the Halo after such a huge impact. "The first time I tested this car I didn’t think the halo was good, because it’s difficult to see anything, but today the halo helped me. It’s really important. I don’t know what happened, but without the halo I think the tyre would have hit my helmet. It was a big surprise for me, the halo was a big help for me."
Who knows what the outcome would have been without the Halo...?
Many Formula 1 legends took to social media to praise the safety device after the many near misses. Jean Todt, FIA President, said "Safety first. That's why we introduced the Halo." Nico Rosberg, the 2016 World Champion, was also vocal "We can end the Halo discussions now. It will save lives! Thanks FIA" Max Chilton, ex-F1 Marussia driver and current Indy 500 driver, stated "And people still think race cars shouldn't have them. We could have lost another fantastic talent today without the Halo. Well done F1!" Felipe Massa also joined the social media storm, "After seeing this, we can say the Halo is beautiful!!!"
So after the Halo's debut season, are opinions still divided? After all, it has already saved at least 2 drivers!
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