Nobody can match the safety standards followed by F1 but living in denial that uncertain events can’t happen is something really very stupid. It is one of the greatest sport with an exceptional history where all of us have witnessed so many thrilling moments. However, if we talk about the other side, everyone would have even seen some or the other lethal events happening in front of our eyes.
So is the sport unsafe?
Not at all. In fact, we have seen the world’s biggest motorsport, F1 grow safer and safer with time.
Remember, how Romain Grosjean went through a dramatic crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix 2020? Well, the ‘Halo’ and a fireproof racing suit saved him from such a life-threatening event.
Wondering what is Halo?
F1 first introduced Halo back in 2018 and to be precise, it is a kind of hardware that encloses the driver’s head to protect them against flying remains from other cars that have already crashed.
As we know, FIA is very particular about driver’s safety therefore, Mercedes came up with the idea of it back in 2015. In 2016, it was tested by Ferrari for visibility with several others tests followed. Ultimately, the design was finalised in 2017 and it was made mandatory in 2018.
Next question arrives that does it hamper the aerodynamic efficiency? Well, any such incident has not been reported yet. However, the Halo weighs somewhere around 12-14 kgs and therefore, the teams are trying to customise it so that they can reduce the overall weight as much as they can while passing the FIA crash test.
Before introducing it, FIA tested a curved windscreen. However, just after one lap, Sebastian Vettel complained about several factors along with dizziness and hence, Halo was finalised as a part of the safety equipment.
Sebastian Vettel abandoned the glass shield test after feeling dizzy.
Does it hamper visibility?
That’s the first thing that arrives in everyone’s mind. Even some of the F1 drivers complained about it.
However, it was again tested at the Belgian Grand Prix 2016 in a race car driven by Nico Roseberg and because of the positive feedback, it was almost finalised for other tests.
Testimonials
Romain Grosjean quitting his race car after the tragic accident.
Just after the incident at Bahrain Grand Prix Haas Driver, Romain Grosjean was interviewed from the hospital bed. In his statement, he said, “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.”
Also relating to an incident at Belgian Grand Prix 2018, Mercedes’ F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff came out in support of Halo after criticising it for a really long time.