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. Initially, the FIA looked into the development of closed cockpit systems, visors, and forward roll structures. "Fighter-jet style" screens were largely seen as the least effective early due to problems with flexing too much or shattering, depending on material used. During development, the FIA examined three fundamental scenarios—collision between two vehicles, contact between a vehicle and the surrounding environment (such as barriers) and collisions with vehicles and debris. Tests demonstrated that the halo system can significantly reduce the risk of injury to the driver. In many cases, the system was able to prevent the helmet from coming into contact with a barrier when checked against a series of accidents that had occurred in the past. During the study of collisions with vehicles and debris it was found that the halo was able to deflect large objects and provide greater protection against smaller debris. . The halo for the
FIA Formula E Championship Gen2 car includes a strip of LED lights that indicate the level of power mode the car is in (blue for ATTACK MODE and magenta for Fanboost). In August 2017, the Dallara F2 2018 was presented and was the first to install the halo system. The
SRT05e Formula E car presented in January 2018 had a halo. In November 2018, the
2019 FIA Formula 3 car, which was unveiled in
Abu Dhabi, installed the halo as well. Beginning in 2021, the
Indy Lights' IL-15 began using the halo.
Alternative systems As an alternative to the halo system,
Red Bull Advanced Technologies developed the transparent Aeroscreen. The design, which is similar to a small fairing, did not receive much interest from the FIA. In 2019 the Aeroscreen was adapted to use the halo as a structural frame for use in
IndyCar.
Sebastian Vettel was the first and only driver to try Shield in a Formula 1 car. During the free practice for the
2017 British Grand Prix, he completed a lap with the new system before ending the test early. He complained of distorted and blurred vision that prevented him from driving. Its introduction was subsequently excluded, as there was no guarantee that the issues with Shield could be solved in time for the 2018 season.
Initial reception The system aroused some criticism before it was involved in any incidents, including that of
Niki Lauda, who claimed that the system distorted the "essence of racing cars". The system was also initially unpopular with fans, with some saying that it was visually unappealing, against the concept of open-cockpit racing, and obstructed the driver's vision. There were safety concerns from several teams, including Ferrari and Mercedes, some drivers stating the invention would make it "harder for the driver to get out of the car". Though other former drivers, including
Jackie Stewart, welcomed the system and compared it to the introduction of
seat belts, which had been similarly criticized but became the norm in racing and regular vehicles.
Max Verstappen did not support the introduction of the halo in 2018, saying that it "abused the DNA" of F1, which was "less dangerous than riding a bicycle in a city."
Cost A single halo can cost between €13,000 and €24,000. Both cars operated by a team must have a halo. ==Incidents==