The halo cockpit protection device became mandatory in Formula 1 in 2018.
The halo is a titanium safety structure positioned around the cockpit and in front of the driver’s head. Its purpose is to reduce the chance of a driver being struck by a wheel, debris, or another car, while also helping protect the cockpit in an impact or when a car rolls over. The design was developed and tested after several serious open-wheel accidents raised renewed concern about head protection.
Formula 1 introduced the halo as a mandatory requirement for the 2018 season. Every F1 car had to be built around the device, despite initial criticism that it looked heavy or interfered with the sport’s traditional open-cockpit appearance. Subsequent incidents, including Charles Leclerc’s crash at the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, demonstrated how the structure could help shield a driver.
The halo was not invented solely for Formula 1: related versions have also been adopted in other single-seater categories. It complements, rather than replaces, barriers, helmets, harnesses, and other safety systems.