Halo saves Lewis Hamilton from crush in crash | Sunday Observer

Halo saves Lewis Hamilton from crush in crash

19 September, 2021
The wreck after the crash
The wreck after the crash

Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is lucky to be alive after championship rival Max Verstappen’s Red Bull landed on top of his car during a dramatic collision on Lap 26 of the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday.

Points leader Verstappen was attempting to pass Hamilton as they entered the Monza circuit’s Turn 1 chicane, but their tires came into contact and launched the Red Bull on top of the Mercedes as they slid into a gravel pit.

Close-up images show the right rear tire of Verstappen’s car landing squarely on the ‘halo’ safety device surrounding Hamilton’s cockpit and colliding with his helmet as it passed by. After the race, Hamilton credited the titanium device, which was added to Formula One cars in 2018, for saving his life.

“Honestly, I feel very, very fortunate today,” Hamilton said during a media briefing several hours after the accident.

“Thank God for the halo. That ultimately saved me. And saved my neck. I think in the actual moment it was a big hit, but all I could think was to get going again.”

Hamilton said he was experiencing neck pain and planned to see a specialist. After a review, Verstappen was penalized with a three place grid penalty for the next race in Russia, meaning he will start three positions lower than he qualifies for the race. (Fox news)

Lewis Hamilton (left) and Max Verstappen

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