Lewis Hamilton’s life was ‘saved’ by his Ferrari’s halo as it blocked flying debris.
The Formula One star was driving behind Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg at the United States GP Sprint Race when the duo ahead collided at the first corner.
Piastri and Hulkenberg were then pushed into Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris, sending car parts flying into the air.
And one of those looked like it was headed directly towards the helmet of Hamilton.
That is, until his halo came to the rescue.
The carbon fibre shrapnel boinged harmlessly off the protective device and Hamilton drove on to finish fourth in the sprint, bagging himself five points, while Max Verstappen won.
Lewis Hamilton was saved from a rogue piece of flying debris by his Ferrari’s halo
Four cars had been involved in a collision on the first corner at the US GP Sprint Race
Hamilton says he is targeting a win his first win since 2024 after qualifying in fifth for the race
Hamilton, 40, told Sky Sports F1: ‘I managed to avoid the drama at Turn 1, just. I didn’t position my car particularly well.
‘I saw Alonso on the inside so I went a bit to the right and left the door open to Charles.
‘Lots of improvement is still to be made. Otherwise the start was good.’
The halo device, which was introduced to protect the cockpit area to some controversy in 2021 has proven invaluable in protecting drivers.
Romain Grosjean perhaps owes his life to it after his halo stopped him from hitting his head against the steel barriers when he spun off before his car exploded into flames in 2023.
Norris and Piastri both had to bow out of the sprint, a small blow in their jostle for the title, with Verstappen looking to catch them, but fortunately McLaren have at least already sealed the Constructors’ Championship.
They will line up second and sixth on the grid – Verstappen took pole – while Charles Leclerc and Hamilton start third and fifth for Ferrari.
Hamilton said: ‘For us to be third and fifth I think it’s a real step forward.
‘This is the closest I’ve been [to a podium] in God knows how long. It’s taken me forever. It’s not from lack of trying.
‘I’m going to give it absolutely everything to try and get there.
‘My goal is to win.’
