All Hail The Halo

The halo saved the day in Spa.

It was in the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix that Fernando Alonso’s McLaren came flying over the head of Sauber’s Charles Leclerc. The terrifying incident left both drivers unharmed thanks to the new halo device.

Alonso announced his retirement from Formula One over the summer break. The two-time world champion decided that he was ready to move on after 17 years in the sport. But the Spanish driver’s final appearance at Spa was ended abruptly after a hectic start.

Nico Hulkenberg’s braking mistake caused his Renault to crash into the back of Alonso. The Spaniard’s airborne McLaren sheared over Leclerc’s halo device, which prevented the car from making contact with his helmet. Despite a heavy landing, Alonso retired from the race uninjured, but it was Leclerc’s near miss that left both teams and viewers aghast.

The 6Kg titanium structure is the latest safety advancement in driver-head protection. However the halo has been subject to much controversy since its debut at the beginning of the season. Not only does the device change the car’s aerodynamics and aesthetics but its overall effect was questionable. The FIA conducted an investigation into accidents caused by car-to-car collisions, car-to-environment collisions and flying debris and found that the halo was the most appropriate system that could be implemented before the 2018 season. Many questioned whether the device was worthwhile, as it only improves protection by 17 per cent and is unlikely to protect against small debris such as the flying spring that left Felipe Massa with serious injuries in 2009. But Leclerc’s escape makes it difficult to argue against the halo.

The 20-year old praised the device which stood between him and the aerial Alonso. Leclerc said he had “never been a fan of the halo but I have to say that I was very happy to have it over my head today. I’ve been lucky on this one”. The Monegasque was not the only member of the sport to praise the device. Team Boss of Mercedes Toto Wolff had been sceptical about the halo, “but having saved Charles from harm and injury makes it all worth it”.

The incident also roused a response from the halo’s supporters. Alonso simply said “we didn’t need any proof but it is a good thing”, while Massa tweeted “after seeing this, we can say ‘The Halo is beautiful’!!!”

Regardless of people’s stance on the halo, it is impossible to deny its capacity to keep drivers safe. The incident in Spa illustrates its effectiveness and without it the result could have been tragic.