Halo (safety device)

The halo is a driver crash-protection system used in open-wheel racing series, which consists of a curved bar placed above the driver's head to protect it from injury.

The first tests of the halo were carried out in 2016 and in July 2017. Since the 2018 season, the FIA has made the halo mandatory on every vehicle in Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 4, Formula Regional, and Formula E as a safety measure. Other open-wheel racing series also utilize the halo, such as the IndyCar Series, Indy NXT, Super Formula, Super Formula Lights, Euroformula Open and Australian S5000. The IndyCar halo is used as a structural frame for the aeroscreen.

Construction

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 (15 lb) in the version presented in 2016, then rose to 9 kilograms (20 lb) in 2017.

In FIA series the halo system is not developed by the teams, but is manufactured by three approved external manufacturers chosen by the FIA and has the same specification for all vehicles.

In a simulation performed by the FIA, using data from 40 incidents, use of the system provided a 17% increase in the survival rate of the driver.

History and development

In 2009, 2 major accidents happened in top level FIA open wheel series, the fatal accident of Henry Surtees at the Brands Hatch round of the 2009 Formula 2 season and the accident Felipe Massa sustained during qualifying at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. The accidents led to calls for additional cockpit protection.