Forget the aesthetics, safety is paramount in F1

When it was announced that the Halo would be coming to Formula 1 in 2018, it received a mixed response. Many argued that it was vital that F1 pursued the quest for safer cars. A large number though argued that aesthetics are the most important part of the car and that “it wouldn’t be F1 if the Halo is on these cars”. But when it all boils down to it, surely safety outweighs any argument over aesthetics?

I’ll be honest, I do feel that a Formula 1 car should stand out from the crowd and look like the ultimate open wheel racer. The new regulations for 2017 certainly did just that and we had a field of incredible looking machines. So sticking on an 8 kilo or so lump of carbon fibre above the driver does take away from the visual appeal of the car. Looks don’t improve the racing, but if the cars look good whilst doing the business then the fans will be very happy indeed.

But it would be wrong to suggest that “it isn’t Formula 1” with the Halo on the cars. Formula 1 is defined as an open wheel formula of racing, as opposed to open cockpit. Whilst that is indeed the ethos of an open wheel car, it isn’t exactly a mandatory requirement that be open cockpit. And, let’s be honest, the cockpits are still quite open aren’t they? No, it is still very much F1 and will always be F1.

So yes, aesthetics are important. But not as important as the lives of those driving the cars. Now, huge accidents are rare in the sport these days and a lot of those accidents do see drivers walk away. But it would be naïve to expect that to continue and say “we don’t need the halo”. A couple of accidents over the last few years could have been prevented with the device. Henry Surtees died in a race at Brand Hatch back in 2009 after a wheel hit him in the head. Justin Wilson died at Pocono’s IndyCar race in 2015 after debris from the crashed car of Sage Karam hit him on the head. Both these accidents could have saved the lives of the drivers, with 4 time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel agrees.


"There would be at least two drivers in the last four years there I remember that would still be around - Henry Surtees and Justin Wilson - if we had this type of system.

"I think it can be very ugly but nothing justifies not having these two guys around."

Here is one of the best drivers on the grid, agreeing that yes it isn’t pretty, but nothing should come in the way of safety. It isn’t pretty, no, but why should it be? And what more of an endorsement do you need than that of Sebastian Vettel? Safety will always outweigh aesthetics, and we have to get this into our heads.