Halo proved why we need it - Alonso

The halo device came to the rescue of a Formula 1 driver for the first time at the Belgian Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso's McLaren landed on top of Charles Leclerc's Sauber in a scary crash at Spa-Francorchamps. The crash was reminiscent of Romain Grosjean's Lotus skating over Alonso's Ferrari at the same track in 2012.

The incident was prompted by Nico Hulkenberg misjudging the braking zone off the line and rear-ending Alonso, who flew up into the air.

Alonso's car thumped down onto Leclerc's, clearly hitting the halo of the Sauber as it flew through the air.

Two-time world champion Alonso was one of the strongest supporters of the Halo device, with any aesthetic worries surely now put to rest after it came to the aid of Leclerc.

"I flew over his car," Alonso told BBC. "The Halo was a very good thing to have today. I think for him, it helped, looking at the replay. We don't need to prove it's a good thing to have"

It was not the only incident in a crazy race start as Daniel Ricciarod and Kimi Raikkonen also suffered damage in a domino effect from Alonso's trip through the air, while Valtteri Bottas took off his own front wing, starting from 17th, in a collision with Williams' Lance Stroll.