The development of the halo followed fatal accidents in 2009 involving Henry Surtees at Brands Hatch in Formula 2 and Felipe Massa during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Initial investigations by the FIA explored closed cockpits and forward roll structures, but these were deemed less effective due to issues with flexing or shattering. Testing demonstrated the halo’s ability to deflect debris and prevent helmet contact with barriers.
The Dallara F2 2018 car was the first to feature the halo system, presented in August 2017, followed by the SRT05e Formula E car in January 2018 and the 2019 FIA Formula 3 car unveiled in Abu Dhabi in November 2018. Beginning in 2021, the Indy Lights’ IL-15 also adopted the halo.
Initial reception to the halo was mixed. Niki Lauda claimed it distorted the “essence of racing cars”, while fans expressed concerns about its visual impact and potential obstruction of driver vision. Some teams, including Ferrari and Mercedes, raised safety concerns about driver extraction. However, former drivers like Jackie Stewart welcomed the system, comparing it to the introduction of seat belts. Max Verstappen initially opposed the halo, stating it “abused the DNA” of Formula 1.
The halo’s effectiveness became apparent in several incidents. In the 2018 Formula 2 race in Spain, Tadasuke Makino’s halo was struck by Nirei Fukuzumi’s car. Similarly, Charles Leclerc’s halo was impacted by Fernando Alonso’s airborne McLaren at the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, with both halos sustaining visible damage. Both Makino and Leclerc credited the halo with potentially saving their lives. Toto Wolff, who had previously criticised the halo, acknowledged its value after the incident, stating it was “worth it” despite its aesthetics.
Further incidents highlighted the halo’s protective capabilities. Alex Peroni potentially had his life saved by the halo during a Formula 3 event at Monza in 2019, and Romain Grosjean’s head was protected from impact during a fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton credited the halo with saving his neck after Max Verstappen’s wheel landed on it during a collision at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix. Zhou Guanyu stated the halo saved his life after his Alfa Romeo flipped and landed over a barrier at the 2022 British Grand Prix, as the vehicle’s roll hoop had collapsed. At the 2023 Baku Formula 2 round, Jehan Daruvala said the halo saved him during a safety restart. At the 2023 Indianapolis 500, the Aeroscreen protected Kyle Kirkwood during a heavy crash. During the 2025 Formula 2 sprint race at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, Sami Meguetounif’s car went over the top of Luke Browning’s car, with Alex Brundle crediting the halo for preventing injury to Browning.
A single halo costs between €13,000 and €24,000, and each team must equip both of their cars with the device.