Formula 1: Several drivers praise halo device after Belgian Grand Prix crash

Several Formula 1 drivers have praised the halo device after the crash that took place at the start of this past Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

After the horrifying crash that took place at the start of this past Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, Formula 1‘s new halo device, which was mandated at the start of the 2018 season, has received a ton of praise.

In the matter of a New York Minute, the halo turned into one of the most criticized aspects of Formula 1 for its appearance to one of the most admired aspects of the sport for its function.

All it took was one scary accident.

At the start of the 44-lap race around the 19-turn, 4.352-mile (7.004-kilometer) Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps road course in Stavelot, Belgium, Renault Sport’s Nico Hulkenberg was unable to slow down in time to avoid running into the back of the car driven by McLaren’s Fernando Alonso.

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The impact that took place when the 31-year-old German ran into the back of the 37-year-old Spaniard sent the latter into the air, where his car made contact with the top of the car driven by Alfa Romeo Sauber rookie Charles Leclerc.

The car of the two-time Formula 1 champion also made contact with the halo on the car driven by the 20-year-old Monegasque, and given how scraped up this device was once the wreck ended, many fans and drivers alike believe that it saved Leclerc from suffering serious injuries if not death.

Several Formula 1 drivers chimed in with their thoughts about the halo, including the three key players in the wreck itself.

Here is what Hulkenberg had to say about the matter, according to WTF1.

"“I think whilst I am still not a big fan of Halo and the device, I have to see the facts and admit that it does bring something to F1, especially the safety we appreciate in the car. So, divided, mixed feelings about it still, but it is not down to me anyway, and it is what it is.“We can only speculate on what would have happened without it, but it looks pretty clear from the point the tyre marks were all over the Halo. So from that point of view it has done a very good job to keep the head safe.”"

Here is what Alonso had to say about the matter, according to Independent.

"“I flew over Leclerc’s car and the halo was a very good thing to have today. Looking at the replay I think it helped him. We didn’t have any doubts about it before, but this accident shows it offers good protection.”"

Here is what Leclerc had to say about the matter, according to WTF1.

"“Looking back at the images, we cannot know what will have happened without it, but obviously I was quite happy to have it over my head. And it deserves to be in F1 now. Whether it looks good or bad, I don’t think that matters any more.”"

Here is what Haas’ Kevin Magnussen had to say about the matter, according to WTF1.

"“I am just happy that no one got hurt – and you know in reality no one wants to get hurt and no one wants anyone else to get hurt. So that’s really the end of the story.“But you know it doesn’t change the fact that my idea of Formula 1 is without Halo, like my idea of motorbike is two wheels. But then of course you ask yourself, when you see that the Halo just saved a life, you are not going to say ‘oh, I wish it wasn’t there’. Of course you’re happy that it was there in that case.”"

Here is what Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo, who was also slightly involved in the wreck when Alonso’s car hit and broke his car’s rear wing while it was flying through the air, had to say about the matter, according to RaceFans.

"“I think Hartley’s onboard was the most telling one. You can see Alonso coming from the side, it looked like he was coming over the top but it came in from the side. It was going to be very close if the Halo wasn’t there. I think it did what it had to do and I think it’s nice for people who didn’t support it maybe because at least now we’ve got proof that it likely saved Charles probably a very serious injury.“I feel I was always ‘for’ the head protection. I don’t think any of us were ‘for’ the look of it. I was always one to say, especially after [Justin] Wilson’s crash in Indy, I think it was in Monza that year, it was pretty clear. I was a bit vocal about doing something.”"

Do you agree with these five Formula 1 drivers in that the halo device contributed to the fact that Charles Leclerc walked away from this frightening incident unharmed?