The FIA is hoping to replace the Halo used on Formula 1 cars with a new “lightweight” version in 2026.
Manufacturers have been invited to submit bids to supply Halos to be used by F1 teams when new technical regulations are introduced in 2026.
One of the FIA’s goals with its new regulations is to bring down the weight of F1 cars which has steadily risen for years. The minimum mass under the current rules in 798 kilograms.
The Halo, a mandatory component of fixed specification, weighs seven kilograms. The tender document issued by the FIA for the 2026 Halo states the next version must have a mass “greater than 6kg
must be titanium alloy”, meaning they expect to reduce its weight by one kilogram at the most.
That would represent a significant gain gives the high forces the Halo is required to withstand. The safety structure has been credited with saving the lives of drivers whose cars have been struck by debris and other cars.
Among the drivers who credited the Halo for saving their lives since its introduction to F1 in 2018 is Romain Grosjean, who survived a fireball crash at the Bahrain International Circuit two years later. His Haas struck a barrier head-on and split in two, but Grosjean was able to climb out of the cockpit of his car to safety, suffering only burns to his hands.
In order to ensure the new, “lightweight” Halo makes no concessions to safety, three static tests will be applied to the design, submitting up to 125 kilonewtons of force.
The tender document specifies the new Halo must be constructed from a titanium alloy, as the current F1-grade examples are. Heavier steel version are used in some lower categories where impact speeds are likely to be lower.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Formula 1
- Do Red Bull finally face a real rival? Five Emilia-Romagna GP talking points
- Ferrari’s two staff hires from Mercedes to start work in October
- How to watch the 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
- F1 teams back extending points to 12th as “there are no backmarkers any more”
- Alonso’s unusual brake problem and more unheard Miami team radio
Browse all Formula 1 articles