– Had it happened 10-12 years ago, it might have been a fatal accident, says Formula 1 expert Henning Isdal to news. Several feared the worst when Guanyu Zhou crashed badly during Sunday’s Formula 1 race in Silverstone. The Alfa Romeo driver’s car ended up upside down and sailed off the track at high speed after a collision that started with George Russell being hit from behind by Pierre Gasly. SAFETY BRACKET: Max Verstappen grips the safety bar on the way up from the driver’s seat. Photo: Matt Dunham / AP There was a period of silence at the Silverstone stadium, but after a few dramatic minutes, Zhou finally got out of the car. It was later confirmed that he was safe. Norwegian Dennis Hauger also had his Formula 2 race ruined early after an ugly collision with Roy Nissany on Sunday. – Saved many human lives Without the “halo”, ie the safety bar that is placed in front of the cockpit where the drivers sit, the story could have been completely different. In recent years, the hoop has proven to be potentially life-saving up to several times. – We have saved several lives due to this “halo”, says Viaplay expert Isdal. EXPERT: Henning Isdal is aware of how important the “halo” has been in recent years. Photo: Rune Bendiksen / Viaplay It was as late as 2018 that the “halo” was introduced in the Formula 1 cars for safety reasons. The safety bar must, in addition to being protection in the event of a collision, prevent drivers from being hit by objects such as parts of tires or other loose objects. Four years later, several cases have been seen where the hoop has proven to be life-saving. In 2020, former Formula 1 driver Roman Grosjean believed that the “halo” saved his life after a violent crash during the Bahrain Grand Prix. “Without it, I would not be able to talk to you today,” the Frenchman said in an Instagram video at the time. Isdal is clear that the accidents would have happened significantly more frequently without the hoop. – Without halo, Grosjean would not have survived, he states. DRAMATIC: The car was on fire when Grosjean was rescued from it. Photo: Brynn Lennon / AP Met resistance Despite the importance of the “halo”, the hoop met great resistance initially. Lewis Hamilton, who was involved in an ugly crash with rival Max Verstappen last year, was one of those who expressed criticism a few years ago. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also reprimanded the “halo” in 2018 and said he would like to remove the hangers with a chainsaw if he got the chance, according to The Guardian. Among other things, he believed that the security system weighed too much. UGLY CRASH: Max Verstappen ended up on Lewis Hamilton’s car in last year’s Italy Grand Prix. Photo: JENNIFER LORENZINI / Reuters Isdal is convinced that the pipe has a different sound today. – They do not say that today. That discussion has completely subsided when one sees its effective way of preventing drivers from being injured. Now there are probably no drivers who say what was said in 2018, he says.
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The equipment was insulted and hated – now the “halo” has saved several lives – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
