Your Friendly Titanium Neighbourhood Halo

Motorsports are a dangerous category of sport. One tiny mistake may put a driver into barriers, a hospital or even a coffin if the damage is too severe. This is why safety precautions are utilised at every race. In this article, we'll be covering the story of a groundbreaking invention for safety measures in motorsports, the Halo.

(Image credits to racingnews365.com)

What is the Halo?

The Halo is a titanium protective structure attached to the cockpit of an F1 car. It weighs 7 kilograms and can withstand the weight of 2 elephants. The word “Halo” originates from the ancient Greek word “halos”, which means “disk.” Considering it stands above the drivers in a round-ish shape, it sounds fitting. The Halo was introduced to motorsports in 2018 and is a vital piece of the survival cell structure.

When Did the Need for Better Head Protection Arise?

Safety has always been a concern in Formula 1, especially in its early decades when fatal accidents were more common. With the improved technology developed over time, more advanced safety precautions have been introduced to the sport. But until 2009, no type of head protection beyond a helmet had been utilised. In a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch Circuit, Henry Surtees, the son of former F1 world champion John Surtees, was struck by an errant tyre that had come off Jack Clarke’s car following a crash. With the high-speed impact, Surtees was knocked unconscious and crashed into the barriers. He was rushed to a medical centre and then to the hospital, but unfortunately, his head injuries were too severe and he passed away that same evening. Just six days after Surtees’ death, during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, another incident occurred. Ferrari driver Felipe Massa went straight into the barriers due to a loose spring from Rubens Barrichello’s car smashing into his helmet at high speed. He suffered several injuries above his left eye, but thankfully, he made a full recovery and returned to the grid for the 2010 season. So, these two incidents, which occurred in the span of a few days, ignited a discussion focused on more protection for drivers heads.

(Image credits to theguardian.com )

The Last Straw

Several close-call collisions occurred in the early 2010s, without a scratch on the drivers involved. However, the matter was truly taken seriously after the 2014 Japanese GP. On a rainy race day, during a safety car period, Jules Bianchi lost control of his car. The car went off the track and collided with a mobile crane, which was carrying Adrien Sutil’s Sauber to safety. His injuries were so severe that he had to be placed into an induced coma. Unfortunately, 9 months after his crash, came the news of Jules’ passing. This concluded the long years of debate, a better head protection device had to be provided. So, after 3 years of different experiments and test drives, the Halo was finally introduced in 2018.

(Image credits to motorsports.com )

First Impression

In the early years of the Halo’s introduction to the sport, there were many discussions about its appearance. The Halo was highly opposed in the beginning, with many claiming it looked out of place with the aesthetics of the cars. Even before its introduction, Lewis Hamilton had already named the Halo as “The worst looking mod in F1 history.” It also became a laughing stock because comparisons were made between its appearance and that of a “flip-flop.” Despite the rocky start to its life in F1, the Halo proved its protective abilities by saving drivers’ lives on several occasions, including Charles Leclerc, the godson of the late Jules Bianchi. And with that, the scepticism in the beginning started shifting to appreciation. Everyone would soon owe the Halo an apology.

(Image credits to express.co.uk)

That One Night In Bahrain

While the sympathy towards the Halo was growing, the Halo faced its greatest test. In the opening lap of the 2020 Bahrain GP, a small contact with Daniil Kvyat’s Alpha Tauri shunted the Haas of Romain Grosjean through the barriers. The force of the impact caused a big fire as the Haas car split in half. Thankfully, Grosjean managed to exit the burning car and was taken to the track medical centre. When the fire was extinguished and the dust was cleared, an unsung hero revealed itself. The survival cell and Halo were the main part of the car still larley intact and was responsible for preventing the barriers from harming the Frenchman. With the protection of many safety protocols combined, Grosjean only suffered burns on his hands and missed the last two races of the season. “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 to you today,” claimed the Frenchman after the incident. That same survival cell and its Halo are now showcased at F1 Exhibitions. So, if you ever have the chance to visit one of them, don’t forget to pay your respects to the man who walked out of fire and its saviour.

(Image credits to kicker.de)

The Watchful Protector of the Motorsport Realm

The Halo’s introduction in 2018 wasn’t only meant for F1, instead in all FIA-sanctioned single-seater competitions, from the feeder series to Formula E. Since then, the Halo has saved many drivers’ lives in various series, such as Lewis Hamilton, Guanyu Zhou, Pascal Wehrlein and Dennis Hauger. The once-hated Halo has now become their hero, watching over drivers and helping them in their hour of need.

(Image credits to racingnews365.com)

In a nutshell, the Halo has become an essential piece of motorsports. It was not love at first sight and it took time for everyone to get used to it, but in the end, we can’t think of the sport without the Halo anymore. Drivers feel safer with its protection and fans are relieved by its presence. It takes the hits the human body wouldn’t endure and protects the innocent souls, who are inspired by the adrenaline rush. The true hero that the racing world needs and deserves…

Article written by Emre Albas © Emre Albas 2025