Halo Device

The Halo Device is safety equipment installed in Formula One Cars that protects the driver in case of an accident.

Key Points

• It is made out of Grade 5 Titanium used in aerospace applications and is presently supplied to F1 teams by three authorized suppliers.
• The Halo device is a bar that loops around the cockpit and is attached to the car at three points. Out of these three points, one is in the middle of the line of vision of the driver.
• It protects the driver during a crash or from flying objects hitting the driver.
• This protection device was first introduced in the year 2018 after conducting a series of experiments and tests for more than 7 years.
• During the initial period of its usage, it drew criticism for making the F1 cars look ugly. But, in a recent F1 crash involving the driver Romain Grosjean, the driver has credited the presence of Halo Device for saving his life.

What FIA says about Halo?

• FIA i.e. Fdration Internationale de l’Automobile is the body governing Formula 1. As per FIA, Halo is the strongest part of the F1 car. It can take the weight of 2 African elephants (around 6,000 kg each).
• Halo can deflect a large suitcase coming at the speed of 225 km/hr. Proper tests have been conducted to check this.
• Halo can withstand a force of 125 kiloNewtons from above, with no part coming out, for more than 5 seconds.

Romain Grosjean crash

Racing driver Romain Grosjean has appreciated and credited Halo Device for saving his life after his F1 car crashed into a barrier during Bahrain Grand Prix. Grosjean’s car was split into two after the crash and even caught fire but Halo protected his head from crashing to the barrier. Thus, Halo proved how safe it is for the drivers. However, catching fire by an F1 car is a concern for the authorities.