Serious accident in Formula 1
Many complained about the safety bar – now it saved Grosjean’s life
Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean survived a serious accident at the Grand Prix in Bahrain. Shortly after the start, his racing car crashed into the guardrail and caught fire. As if by a miracle, Grosjean was able to free himself from the inferno. He was admitted to hospital with a suspected broken rib and only minor injuries. He attributed his rescue to the Halo cockpit protection. Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 driver, says in the video, “Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I’m fine, at least somewhat. Thanks for all the messages. I was against the Halo when it was introduced a few years ago , but it’s the greatest thing that Formula 1 introduced. Without the Halo, I couldn’t speak to you guys today, so thank you very much. Thanks also to the track first responders and the hospital staff. Hopefully I can get some messages back to you soon write and tell how things are going for me. ” The halo is a titanium structure attached to the front of the cockpit. The safety system is intended to protect the driver from flying parts in the event of an accident. When it was introduced in 2018, many were critical of it.
When the safety bar was introduced into Formula 1, the criticism was sharp. Numerous officials and pilots railed against the Halo system. After Romain Grosjean’s accident, the last critics should finally fall silent.
That the Formula 1 racing driver Romain Grosjean survived the accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday bordered on a miracle. After exiting a bend, he collided with the Russian Daniil Kwjat’s car and then crashed head-on into a guardrail at 250 kilometers per hour. His car caught fire and was split in two. Grosjean rescued himself from the burning wreck after 27 seconds. He only got burns on the back of his hand.
In addition to the fireproof racing suit and the sturdy monocoque, the cockpit made of one piece, Grosjean’s main saved life was the Halo system. The safety bar, already denigrated as a “toilet ring”, prevented the French from suffering severe head injuries.
Niki Lauda: The halo is the worst
When the halo was introduced two years ago, the resistance was sometimes high. The statements from back then seem strange today against the background of Grosjean’s accident. The German Formula 1 driver Nico Hülkenberg (currently no team) said at the time: “It just looks wrong to me. Always just security, security, security. We mustn’t sterilize and soften the sport”, he grumbled. Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda was beside himself: “The Halo system is the worst thing that Formula 1 has ever done.” Former racing driver Marc Surer was downright offended: “The safety thinking is exaggerated here. On the one hand, you forbid the tail fin to make the cars more beautiful. On the other hand, you build this terrible toilet ring. Now the cars can see like buggies. That can’t be. ”
Fortunately, most of the team bosses held back with similar statements and the world motor sport federation held on to the plans, because there was no doubt at the time that the bracket would not be particularly beautiful, but effective.
Romain Grosjean was one of the critics himself
This is how many drivers saw it: Lewis Hamilton, who was still very critical at first, finally came to the conclusion: “The era of good-looking cars is over, things are going downhill. But at least safety is increasing.” Sebastian Vettel pointed out the fatalities who were fatally hit in the head by flying parts because their cars did not have a halo: “The aesthetics are not nice, but we have been with Henry Surtees (a young driver) and Justin Wilson for the past four years (Indy Car) lost two drivers in a similar accident. There’s nothing ugly enough to justify the two are no longer alive. ”
Romain Grosjean now admitted in the hospital bed how important the halo was. Years ago he was also one of the critics. In a video message on Instagram, he said: “I was against the Halo myself a few years ago. But now I think it was the greatest innovation in Formula 1. Without Halo, I couldn’t speak to you now.”
Sources: “sportschau.de”, “t-online”
