Italian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton says 'halo' safety system saved his life in crash
Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton has said Formula 1's 'halo' safety device saved his life in his crash at the Italian Grand Prix.
The 36-year-old seven-time world champion was hit by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman's car driving over Hamilton's Mercedes.
The 'halo', a curved, reinforced bar in front of the driver's head, protected Hamilton from a more severe impact.
"I feel very fortunate today," said Hamilton. "Thank God for the halo which saved me, and saved my neck."
The Briton added: "I am so grateful I am still here. I feel incredibly blessed that someone was watching over me today.
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"I don't think I've ever been hit on the head by a car before - and it is quite a big shock for me.
"We are taking risks and it's only when you experience something like that that you get the real shock of how you look at life and how fragile we all are.
"If you look at the images of the crash, my head is really quite far forward in the cockpit."
Hamilton was initially sceptical about the introduction of the halo, calling it the "worst-looking modification" in the sport's history, but started to change his mind before its introduction three years ago.
The device has also been lauded for saving Charles Leclerc after his car was struck by Fernando Alonso's flying McLaren following a first-lap accident at Spa-Francorchamps in 2018.
"The halo definitely saved Lewis' life today," added Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. "Without it, it would have been a horrible accident which I don't even want to think about.
"The championship was good fun up until now but we saw the halo save Lewis' life today. We don't want to see someone seriously hurt."
The incident happened on lap 26 of 53 at Monza as Verstappen approached the Variante del Rettifilo at 225mph and Hamilton exited the pit-lane.
Verstappen attempted to squeeze past Hamilton at the right-left chicane, but ran off the track and on to the kerbs.
The Red Bull driver was sent out of control and airborne into Hamilton's path, with the rear-right wheel crushing the top of Hamilton's Mercedes.
Verstappen has been deemed to have caused the incident by race stewards and received a three-place grid penalty for the next race - the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi on 26 September.
Before the penalty was announced, the 23-year-old wrote on Twitter: "Today was very unfortunate. The incident could have been avoided if I had been left enough space to make the corner.
"You need two people to make that work and I feel I was squeezed out of it. When racing each other, these things can happen, unfortunately."
This is the second time the two drivers have clashed in the 2021 season as Hamilton was blamed for causing an incident at Silverstone that left Verstappen out of the race.
Hamilton was given a 10-second penalty, but still managed to win the British Grand Prix, while Verstappen had to be taken to hospital as a precaution before being released.
Verstappen, who has never won the Formula 1 world title, holds a five-point lead in the title race after 14 of a scheduled 22 races.
Three hours after the race, Hamilton said his neck was "sore" and believed he would need to get further medical attention.
Reacting to Verstappen's penalty, Hamilton added: "I am proud of the stewards.
"It sets a precedent and it is important for us moving forwards, for the safety of the drivers, that there are rules in place."
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However, this was entirely Max's fault, and there could have been a serious injury to Hamilton but for the halo (which was obvious from watching the footage - not because Lewis says so).
Max's response was absolutely disgraceful. He shows no respect, and deserves no respect. He is a serious accident waiting to happen.
Horner and Helmut need to take some responsibility too.
One of those people who always believes he is entitled to the right of way no matter the circumstances but unlike the rest of us who might take any chance that comes our way, if our risk ends up backfiring whereas we'd admit wrong he just doubles-down and says you were wrong.
If you're always the one involved in an accident, perhaps that should tell you something.