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Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean says he was saved by the halo on his car in a dramatic crash during the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday that left him in flames for almost half a minute.
Brynn Lennon, Pool via AP
Grosjean’s Haas F1 car pierced a fence at the edge of the track at 140 km / h after contacting another vehicle and rolled under one of the steel beams as the cage surrounding the cockpit – known as halo – directed the metal up and over his head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ7_En2xEm4
The device, which features a bar directly in front of the driver’s line of sight, was added to the series cars for the 2018 season and has been criticized by many drivers, including Grosjean.
Tolga Bozoglu, swimming pool via AP
“I wasn’t for the halo a few years ago but I think it’s the best thing we’ve brought to Formula 1 and without it I couldn’t speak to you today,” said Grosjean in an Instagram message from his bed at Bahrain Defense Force Hospital on Sunday.
Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP
Many racing series with open-cockpit cars have adopted the halo design, including IndyCar, where it is paired with a windshield.
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The French driver’s car shattered on impact and caught fire while he was sitting inside for 27 seconds, but he was protected by his flame-retardant suit and helmet and was able to get out and s move away from the stage. His US-based team released an update on Monday saying he had only suffered burns to the back of his hand and was due to be released from hospital on Tuesday.
“Thank you to all the medical staff at the circuit, at the hospital, and I hope I can write you quite a few messages soon and tell you how it’s going,” Grosjean said in his message.
Formula 1 chief executive Ross Brawn said the incident would be investigated to better understand why the car broke and caught fire.
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