Halo Device

Lore & Background

In 2009, two major accidents—the fatal accident of Henry Surtees at Brands Hatch and Felipe Massa's accident during qualifying at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix—led to calls for additional cockpit protection. The FIA examined three fundamental scenarios: collision between two vehicles, contact with barriers, and collisions with debris. Tests demonstrated that the halo can significantly reduce the risk of injury. In a simulation using data from 40 incidents, use of the system provided a 17% improvement in the probability of survival.

In Their Own Story

The rain at Monza turned the track into a slick mirror as Max Verstappen navigated the final corners. A loose tire from a rival car ahead skidded across the tarmac, bouncing unpredictably toward his cockpit. In a split second, the titanium Halo absorbed the impact with a deafening clang, deflecting the rubber harmlessly away. The driver didn't even slow down; he simply pressed on, the invisible shield doing its silent, vital work as the crowd roared for the car that had survived another close call.

Reader's Guide

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 in the 2016 version, then rose to 9 kilograms in 2017. In FIA series, the halo is manufactured by three approved external manufacturers chosen by the FIA and has the same specification for all vehicles. A single halo can cost between €13,000 and €24,000.

Did You Know?

• The first public track test of the halo was carried out in July 2016.
• In August 2017, the Dallara F2 2018 was the first car to install the halo system.
• At the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean credited the halo with saving his life after a head-on crash.
• The halo is designed to remain attached to the chassis, not to separate from the car upon impact.