Jackie Stewart compares the Halo to seat belts

The three-time Scottish world champion is in favor of the introduction of Halo in Formula 1 and congratulates the FIA ​​in its approach to preventing accidents and not reacting to a death even if the timing was accelerated by the successive accidents of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson.

« I prefer prevention rather than cure, says Jackie Stewart to the Telegraph. But the problem with the Halo is that if the pilot is stuck or unconscious, it won't be easy to extract him. It is imperative that this does not prevent the pilot from leaving the cockpit or that other people can help him if he loses consciousness.

We must not expect deaths. In this specific case, the FIA ​​is doing exactly what is necessary to introduce it. Some people don't like it, but they said the same thing about seat belts. »

By comparing the Halo to other safety features criticized upon their introduction such as seat belts or the Hans system, Stewart wants to show that once the time for criticism and adaptation has passed, no one will reconsider the decision to introduction of the element.

“In my opinion, it is certain that when you have a collision with a wall, the wheel is the first element to go flying. Even with mechanical developments, this is still the case. A wheel can bounce a kilometer at any height and go into the crowd. That's why there are barriers around the circuits and no one liked them at the beginning. It will be the same for the Halo but we will get used to it. »

Jackie Stewart ended his career prematurely before the Watkins Glen Grand Prix in 1973 following the death of his teammate François Cevert.