The Halo has already proved its point

Last Sunday's F1 sprint race in Barcelona saw a collision between F2 racers Tadasuke Makino and Nirei Fukuzumi.

The fact that the two drivers came together was hardly a remarkable event given the fierce battles that take place up and down the junior category field.

A spectator's picture of the contact however shed some light on just how close Makino came to suffering a severe injury when he was hit by his rival, whose pink car mounted Makino's machine, its left rear wheel only avoiding hitting the Japanese driver thanks to… the Halo.

The controversial cockpit safety device, still decried and condemned for its ungraceful aesthetics, may have saved a driver's life last Sunday. And that's pretty much all we need to know about its effectiveness and ubiquitous presence in single-seater racing and in Formula 1.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.