Given the hurdles and dangers drivers face, opportunities for punters to pick the winners, and the fact that tracks change from location to location, it’s clear to see why Formula One has fans enthralled. Yet – despite testing the boundaries of the fastest motorcars in the world – driver safety remains a hot topic. And a halo has been a mandatory addition for every race car since 2018.
Here we take a closer look at what exactly an F1 halo is and why it’s so important.
What is the F1 halo?
The halo is a titanium structure, covered in carbon fibre, that sits directly above the cockpit of an F1 car. It can withstand huge impacts which not only protects the driver’s head from flying debris but could potentially save their life.
Typically, a halo is composed of three elements:
- front section or ‘v-transition’
- the tube around the cockpit
- rear mounts
A single vertical pillar supports the device in front of the driver whilst the hoop above the cockpit is mounted to the vehicle’s survival cell and cockpit surround.
Why does F1 need the halo?
F1 racing, as we know, is a spectacle for the audience but it doesn’t come without risk – especially for the drivers.
Jules Bianchi was competing in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix where he aquaplaned off the circuit and collided with a crane that was recovering another race car. He sustained serious injuries from the accident, including skull damage, and this was the second fatality of this type – the first being Ayrton Senna at the 1994 race in Imola where a piece of suspension pierced his helmet and also damaged his skull.
The death of Justin Wilson also proves the dangers associated with F1 racing. He was struck by on-track debris at the Pocono Speedway and suffered from a traumatic brain injury.
Although it has been stressed that the halo would not have saved Bianchi and Senna, due to the extent of their injuries, it was obvious that something had to be done.
Red Bull developed ‘Aeroscreen’ which – although aesthetically better than the halo – didn’t get the seal of approval from experienced German F1 racing driver, Sebastian Vettel. He found that the screen affected his visibility during a trial and said he felt dizzy. It’s for this reason that the titanium halo was introduced to F1 in 2018 (as well as Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula E).
Why is titanium used?
Titanium is one of the strongest metals on the planet and has the highest strength to weight density ratio.
The F1 halo is made from Grade 5 titanium which is used extensively in aerospace and is renowned for its remarkable strength, stiffness and low density. As a result of this, the halo is strong enough to support the weight of two African elephants yet sturdy enough to deflect a large, fully-loaded, suitcase at 225kph!
The addition of a halo is about minimising lost performance rather than gaining extra. However, titanium is lightweight and only adds 6kg to the weight of the car – so won’t have much impact on speed, power and performance on the race track – but will significantly improve driver safety all the same.
Need top-quality titanium for F1 halos?
Look no further than Ti-Tek.
As a leading titanium supplier in the UK, we have an extensive range of products available for you to choose from, including titanium sheets and plates. We supply an assortment of grades, however, our Grade 5 (Ti 6Al4V) alloys are an excellent choice for manufacturing F1 halos.
Our team has unparalleled knowledge of the products currently available and will be more than happy to supply custom-cut titanium to suit your specific requirements. So, why not give us a call on 0121 382 4121 or drop us an email at info@titek.co.uk? We’d love to hear from you and discuss your project in further detail.