F1's new 'Halo': All you need to know about the 'ugly device'

A new safety device ‘Halo’ will be used in F1 cars from 2018 World Championships. Despite dissent from the majority of the ten teams, FIA revealed that they have agreed for installing Halo. The root cause for introducing Halo was followed after the deaths of IndyCar racer Justin Wilson and Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi. Halo was first tested in the year 2016 by Red Bull Principal Christian Horner. Horner described it as “an ugly solution.”

After year-long debate, FIA has decided to give a new look to Formula 1 cars in the 2018 World Championships by installing a  new safety device ‘Halo.’ Despite dissent from the majority of the ten teams, FIA revealed it in Geneva on Wednesday that they have agreed for installing Halo.

However, there are two sides that can be seen before the installation of the safety device. While the drivers support it for the safety purpose, formula 1 lovers are going against it as it looks ugly. Apart from these two factors, there are other few things that you might have to know. Here’s everything that you want to know about ‘Halo.’

1. The root cause for introducing Halo was followed after the deaths of IndyCar racer Justin Wilson and Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi. Post the accidents of these drivers, the search for safety device was on since last two years.

2. After several research, Halo was first tested in the year 2016 by Red Bull Principal Christian Horner. Horner described it as “an ugly solution.”

3. The first individual to give a nod was three time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The mercedes team rider said, “It doesn’t look like it belongs on a Formula One car...but I paid close attention. I take safety very, very seriously,” said Hamilton talking to Reuters.

Before his approval, Hamilton had described it as “worst-looking modification.”

4. Besides Halo another safety device which looks similar to glass Shield was tested in the British Grand Prix last week. Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel took a ride who rejected the device just after one lap.

Speaking to Reuters, Vettel said, “I think it’s because of the curvature, you get quite a bit of distortion, plus you get quite a bit of downwash down the straight pushing the helmet forward. We had another run planned with it, but I didn’t like it, so we took it off.”

5. Even though the decision has been passed by FIA, there are attempts made for not installing Halo. The petition has started in change.org with the title 'Do not introduce the halo safety device in Formula One,'  and already 2,425 people have signed for it.