The Guardian: Charles Leclerc has praised the halo cockpit protection device after walking away unharmed from a huge accident at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.
The halo received criticism when imposed by the FIA at the start of this season but, despite Leclerc admitting he was not a fan of the device, the fact he avoided serious injury has validated the FIA’s decision. The race director, Charlie Whiting, said it would have been a miracle if Leclerc had not been struck were it not for the halo.
The accident occurred at the first corner of the opening lap. Renault’s Nico Hülkenberg braked too late into the corner, locked his front wheels and slid into the back of the McLaren of Fernando Alonso. Alonso’s car was launched into the air, landing on Leclerc’s Sauber and making contact with the halo as it did so. All three drivers were eliminated from the race but were unharmed.The 20-year-old Leclerc, who is in his first F1 season, said of the halo: “I don’t know how it would have ended up without but, looking at it, I’m happy it was there. I’ve been lucky on this one. Looking at the halo, it’s not looking good.“I have never been a fan of the halo but I have to say that I was very happy to have it over my head today,” he added. “I felt the impact and looking at the image of my car it is quite spectacular.”Alonso was adamant that the device had proved itself. “The halo was a very good thing to have today,” he said.
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