Zhou Guanyu’s 2022 crash proved the importance of the Halo, but it also highlighted another crucial safety device—the roll hoop. In today’s F1 mini knowledge session, let’s talk about this component that has been around for more than 60 years.
The roll hoop, located behind the cockpit and integrated with the engine air intake, is built from titanium alloys and carbon fiber composites. It’s not just an independent part—it’s fused with the chassis, essentially acting as the “roof” of the cockpit. In case of a rollover, it absorbs massive impact forces, protecting the driver’s head.
Before the Halo, F1 required a secondary rollover structure in front of the cockpit, no more than 25 cm from the steering wheel. Since 2018, the Halo replaced that structure and, together with the main roll hoop, created a complete protection system.
First introduced in 1961 (and made mandatory in 1969), the roll hoop was one of F1’s earliest safety features. Standards were weak at first, but by 1999, the FIA required a minimum 70 mm gap between the driver’s head and the virtual line connecting the roll hoop and front structure, ensuring more survival space.
Today, with the Halo, a driver’s helmet must always remain 75 mm below the line connecting the Halo’s front points and the roll hoop’s lowest point. The structure must withstand over 100 kN of force in multiple directions.
The roll hoop has saved lives in many crashes. In the 2014 German GP, Massa flipped but his roll hoop held firm. In the 2007 Canadian GP, Kubica’s car smashed into a wall at 200 km/h, rolled violently, and was destroyed—yet the roll hoop and survival cell stayed intact, saving him.
Still, failures have happened. In the 1999 Nürburgring GP, Diniz’s Sauber suffered roll hoop damage. And in Zhou Guanyu’s 2022 British GP crash, his roll hoop broke after sliding upside down, sparking major rule changes.
By 2023, the FIA mandated tougher standards: more durable materials, rounded shapes to prevent digging into the ground, and load capacity raised from 105 kN to 150 kN. From 2026, requirements will increase by another 20%, making roll hoops even stronger.
👉 The roll hoop remains a cornerstone of F1 safety, ensuring that even when cars roll, drivers have a vital survival space.
🛒 Shop Now & Choose your F1 Model！
