What the best dressed drivers are wearing: Helmets of 2011

F1 pictures

2nd April 2011, 11:474th April 2011, 11:12 | Written by Keith Collantine

They can withstand 800C temperatures and if you accidentally park a tank on one they won’t so much as crack.

They also come in a range of pretty colours. See what the drivers of 2011 have done with their helmet designs:

Sebastian Vettel

Mark Webber

Lewis Hamilton

Jenson Button

Fernando Alonso

Felipe Massa

Michael Schumacher

Nico Rosberg

Nick Heidfeld

Vitaly Petrov

Rubens Barrichello

Pastor Maldonado

Adrian Sutil

Paul di Resta

Kamui Kobayashi

Sergio Perez

Sebastien Buemi

Jaime Alguersuari

Heikki Kovalainen

Jarno Trulli

Narain Karthikeyan

Vitantono Liuzzi

Timo Glock

Jerome d’Ambrosio

Got a favourite? Vote for which driver’s helmet design you most prefer:

Which F1 helmet design do you like best?

Jerome d'Ambrosio (4%)
Timo Glock (2%)
Vitantonio Liuzzi (5%)
Narain Karthikeyan (0%)
Jarno Trulli (0%)
Heikki Kovalainen (9%)
Jaime Alguersuari (2%)
Sebastien Buemi (0%)
Sergio Perez (1%)
Kamui Kobayashi (6%)
Paul di Resta (0%)
Adrian Sutil (0%)
Pastor Maldonado (1%)
Rubens Barrichello (3%)
Vitaly Petrov (4%)
Nick Heidfeld (13%)
Nico Rosberg (3%)
Michael Schumacher (8%)
Felipe Massa (4%)
Fernando Alonso (6%)
Jenson Button (7%)
Lewis Hamilton (13%)
Mark Webber (2%)
Sebastian Vettel (7%)

Total Voters: 490

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2011 F1 helmets – more pictures

Some more angles on the helmets of 2011:

F1 pictures

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Images ?�?� Ferrari spa/Ercole Colombo, Renault/LAT, Williams/LAT, McLaren, Getty Images/Red Bull, Force India F1 Team, Sauber F1 Team, Team Lotus, Virgin Racing, Motioncompany

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Keith Collantine

Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...
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194 comments on “What the best dressed drivers are wearing: Helmets of 2011”

RIISE (@riise)
2nd April 2011, 11:49
If it wasn’t for the Monster advert, Schumacher would get it. But i’ll go with the helmet in my avatar.
1. RIISE (@riise)
  2nd April 2011, 11:59
  And as for the worst it would have to be Heikki’s…god what a horrible design.
  1. S.J.M (@sjm)
    2nd April 2011, 12:06
    Sponsorship does ruin a good design doesnt it, sometimes it works well with the design (Webbers for instance) but most of the time it doesnt, in my opinion ofc.
    1. Hare (@hare)
      2nd April 2011, 12:45
      Did you notice how subtle the Johnny Walker icon was on JB’s helmet side profile :) That’s stealth advertising at it’s stealthiest.
      1. RIISE (@riise)
        2nd April 2011, 15:52
        Haha wow, I would never have saw that had you not pointed it out…
  2. Steph (@)
    2nd April 2011, 13:21
    By far the worst is Sutil’s. It’s pulled the worst offence of all: it’s boring. Jarno went mad at Monaco last year when he switched from the shiny design to the more dull colours same with JB at Valencia last year. They were both great lids literally made dull.
    1. Eggry (@eggry)
      2nd April 2011, 14:48
      Well, at least I like Capri Sun logo of his helmet. absolutely not because I like Capri Sun. Probably.
      1. Hare (@hare)
        2nd April 2011, 23:21
        Really?? It’s a bit of a downer when you see JB’s Johnny Walker logo, years of family heritage, trade, taste, passion, quality.. Then you see Sutil’s Capri Sun in Arial Bold.
  3. UKfanatic (@)
    2nd April 2011, 16:32
    too tribal or just too common maybe even lack of originality
2. Lemon (@lemon)
  2nd April 2011, 12:14
  I’d say Schumacher’s is probably the most plain and boring, the silver details are a nice touch but thy dont contrast very well with the red.
  1. Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
    2nd April 2011, 12:16
    I love Schu and Rosberg’s helmets when you see them in conjuction with the car, it’s proper, classic, retro Mercedes and it looks great.
    1. TommyB (@tommyb89)
      2nd April 2011, 13:07
      Agreed. Easiest two to tell apart. Schumacher/Red Rosberg/Yellow.
      Simples.
      1. Steph (@)
        2nd April 2011, 13:23
        I like Rosberg’s but I much preferred it when he had the yellow/blue colour combo.
      2. Adrian J (@adrian-j)
        2nd April 2011, 15:54
        How about Hamilton/Yellow Button/Red White & Blue?
      3. US_Peter (@us_peter)
        3rd April 2011, 0:35
        Plus Nico’s yellow kit matches his T-bar, and Schumi’s red kit matches his. Definitely the two most identifiable helmets at a glance. I have to say my favorite by a long shot is Heidfeld’s though. It’s the colors of the German flag and the team livery. He must’ve been excited about that coincidence when he got the race seat.
    2. AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
      2nd April 2011, 14:28
      Bang on.
3. Snaiperskaya (@mgp-w01)
  2nd April 2011, 14:33
  Schumacher or Button… i can’t choose… there’s only one way to find out, fight!
4. BasCB (@bascb)
  3rd April 2011, 8:49
  It does look a lot better than last years version for Schu.
5. Failnando Alonso
  11th April 2011, 4:49
  Argh, I see Failnando’s Helmet.
Damon
2nd April 2011, 11:50
It’s got to be massas for me, plus it’s proven it’s ability lol
1. Fixy (@)
  2nd April 2011, 12:20
  I voted for Liuzzi even if I preferred the one with white rather than gray. Massa’s to me is worse than the one he was using at the start of this year, but one think I like is the colour is more green and less yellow. I still have to get used to it a bit, I preferred his 2008 one.
  1. BasCB (@bascb)
    8th April 2011, 9:34
    His grey lid shown in Malaysia does look pretty good though. Seems the grey is a carbon fible pattern actually (at first I thought it was the trademark HRT-mud grey, but its not).
2. F1iLike
  2nd April 2011, 14:19
  Yep I think Massa’s helmet is by far the coolest! Really nice..
  And as for Vettel, Keith I think you will have to update that one week by week ;) The man with the million helmets!
  1. schumifor2011
    4th April 2011, 11:11
    yeah thats so true. i remember him having one that looked like a can of red bull.. as in the sides looked like the side of the can (it still kinda does) but on the top it looked like the top of the can with the ring and other details painted on with amazing detail
3. macca77
  2nd April 2011, 16:15
  Yeah Massa’s is the best for me too. Schumacher is close, I like the all red approach, too bad the monster advertising ruins it. Not sure what the dragons on the back mean, i dont like them either.
kimika (@)
2nd April 2011, 11:54
Jenson’s one is the most beautiful
Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
2nd April 2011, 11:54
Alonso’s is the best. I also like Button’s and Alguersuari’s, and Barrichello’s is great because it’s old school. I quite like Maldonado’s as well actually, but most of them look like someone’s eaten a colour palette and thrown up on them.
1. TommyB (@tommyb89)
  2nd April 2011, 13:08
  Alonso’s and Alguersuari’s are my two favourite’s. Button has modernised his design a bit but the union jack idea was clever I thought.
  1. Steph (@)
    2nd April 2011, 13:26
    I almost voted for Fernando and I think he had the best of the field last year.
    I voted for Massa’s. When I first saw it at testing I absolutely hated it but now I think it’s a nice upgrade on his usual style. The Ferrari boys have the best helmets though. I like Petrov’s, Webber’s, Kobayashi’s and Jerome’s too. I agree Button’s design is clever but I really don’t like it compared to when it was shiny and think there are many other ones that stand out now.
    1. bananarama (@bananarama)
      2nd April 2011, 14:59
      I like Schumachers, Alonsos and Hamiltons best because you see the car come round a corner and you immediately recognize who the driver is. They just stand out from the boredom of sponsorship/car matched helmets, especialy those horrible RedBull helmets. I was very happy when Schumacher came back that he kept the red helmet and I still think it looks awesome in the silver car so I think I will go with that one, but as a team effort I like Ferrari best (and McLaren a close second). Heidfelds helmet isn’t bad either and I must say I think Vettel improved from last year.
mcmercslr (@mcmercslr)
2nd April 2011, 12:00
What a great post.
Me being a big Hamilton fan it had to be hamiltons one. I bet there are about a million different iterations of vettels though
1. Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
  2nd April 2011, 13:49
  I love how the way the visor cuts into the red bull logo, it makes the yellow disc look like pac man!
  1. RIISE (@riise)
    2nd April 2011, 18:19
    So Hamilton is copying Pacman, not Senna. God it was so obvious!!!
    1. RIISE (@riise)
      2nd April 2011, 20:37
      Hold on, didn’t read Ned’s post correctly…oh well I stand by my comment!!!!
2. Hairs (@hairs)
  3rd April 2011, 21:33
  You mean “Senna’s” helmet.
Scribe (@scribe)
2nd April 2011, 12:01
I think Massa’s because he’s developed his design most originally, loik it. Hen Buttons because it’s always been a nice clever design and he’s also developed it well. Petrovs and Maldonado’s are bubblegum fun.
1. Steph (@)
  2nd April 2011, 13:30
  I agree with all of that although I can’t work out if I love Pastor’s or hate it which is a good thing because at least it isn’t boring.
pobtoon
2nd April 2011, 12:04
Rubens for be simple, most of them have way to much going on!
1. Aetost (@aetost)
  2nd April 2011, 15:01
  Agreed, it’s pleasantly retro and simple, unlike the kitsch designs some drivers use…
  1. Mike
    3rd April 2011, 0:19
    I love how Rubens and Trulli have held on to their design “longer than 5 minutes“.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
2nd April 2011, 12:05
What a great idea for an article! My favourites are; Alonso’s, Button’s because it’s clever, Barrichello’s because it’s… Barrichello’s, Kobayashi’s because it signifies Kamui’s presence, Massa’s for the unique colours, Buemi’s because it’s quite nice and Alguersuari’s because it’s probably the nicest looking helmet out there. However, I voted for Kobayashi! :P
As for the worst; without equivocation, Sutil’s. Those are possibly the most disgusting colours anyone could wish to have representing their head.
1. RIISE (@riise)
  2nd April 2011, 12:08
  Sutil’s helmet looks like it’s representing the VJM01.
S.J.M (@sjm)
2nd April 2011, 12:09
Just cant help laugh at the Renault drivers helments, looks like they visited the Lotus Factory and had a giant sticker put on their heads as a memento. Ruins both helmets being smack on the forehead.
1. S.J.M (@sjm)
  2nd April 2011, 12:10
  that Helmets obviously ;)
  1. Warwick (@warwick)
    2nd April 2011, 19:03
    :)
Lemon (@lemon)
2nd April 2011, 12:09
Jenson’s, Massa’s and vettel’s are all very nice but I would give it to Heikki for the most well balanced and unique design!
LookingSpiffy (@lookingspiffy)
2nd April 2011, 12:15
Still very fond of Petrov’s design, so simple (though not as simple as Barrichello’s!) and distinctive amongst all the others. Love the colours of Kovalainen’s, Kobayashi’s and Massa’s, though I still prefer the previous design Massa used – I think it went just fine with the new SFM logo.
krtekf1 (@krtekf1)
2nd April 2011, 12:16
My favourite is Heidfeld`s helmet! It really suits with the car! :)
1. dennis (@dennis)
  2nd April 2011, 18:17
  I think helmet is what the car should look like.
  Heidfeld for me as well.
rikpacman (@rikpacman)
2nd April 2011, 12:20
I’m a ma-hussive Hamilton fan but I don’t get why people are voting for his helmet as the best design… I know it’s yellow as a tribute to Senna but the actual design looks dated and lazy. Heikki Kovalainen’s is the standout one for me.
1. Lemon (@lemon)
  2nd April 2011, 12:27
  Yeh completely agree, I’m also a Hamilton fan but his helmet design is pretty average tbh, nothing special. Looks like he’s just getting the votes because he has a lot of supporters on this website!
2. RIISE (@riise)
  2nd April 2011, 12:48
  Not Heikki’s….surely not?
3. mags (@mags)
  2nd April 2011, 12:59
  I’m with you on the helmet bit(not a Hamilton fan)-it does seem as if people are voting by driver rather than style-unless f1 fans are completely without taste! I also quite like liuzzi’s, just for the asymmetrical colouring.
4. Patrickl (@patrickl)
  2nd April 2011, 13:10
  I don’t like the design much, but as recognizability goes it’s one of the best.
5. Solo (@solo)
  2nd April 2011, 15:21
  Well actually that helmet looks better than those pics. That gray background makes things worse probably. On the track it looks quite awesome and is easily recognizable without being an eyesore.
  You don’t need ten thousand designs features to have a nice helmet.
  Btw i never heard Senna having anything to do with the helmet. The story i heard was that from his early carting days, his father gave him a yellow helmet to wear so he can spot him easily between other kids and be less worried about him.
6. robbiepblake (@driftin)
  2nd April 2011, 15:49
  Hamilton’s is good because it’s distinctive, not because it’s actually a nice design.
7. sato113 (@sato113)
  2nd April 2011, 22:12
  I thought HAM’s helmet was yellow because back in his karting days he could only afford a single colour helmet and His dad thought yellow would be easier to see on track.
  1. Harv's
    4th April 2011, 0:13
    It is, it had origianlly had nothing to do with senna, i think the best helmet are the ones that you instantly know who is driving, the ones that have a different contrast with the car! Hamilton, Massa, Schumi, Rosberg, Petrov not all these helmets with tiny details that you never see. i also like a helmet that has a story behind it, not like vettel, what had a red bull can on his head
Dane
2nd April 2011, 12:21
My favourite 2 are Petrovs & Maldonado’s. His design reminds me of Evil Knievels. + I never knew Webbers helmet had the Australian coat of arms.
Drarckula (@drarckula)
2nd April 2011, 12:22
i like Massa’s, kobayashi’s and Kovalainen’s. im not fond of Heidfeld’s, I preferred his when he was with BMW but that might be just me…
1. Steph (@)
  2nd April 2011, 13:33
  It’s not just you. I loved Nick’s green helmet and his special 09 bubble one he used for the German GP.
  1. Tahmid
    2nd April 2011, 21:18
    i really like alonso he has to win it
Fixy (@)
2nd April 2011, 12:23
No need to say that most of them have already changed theirs.
thatscienceguy
2nd April 2011, 12:25
Barrichello and d’Ambrosio have a nice classic uncluttered look. KISS works every time.
Webber’s is nice for the same reason, but obviously the Red Bull logo detracts from that. Still, the RB logo works much better in the design than the Yellow Pages logo he had when he first started in F1.
Trulli’s design might be a bit nicer with some different not-retina-burning colours.
SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23)
2nd April 2011, 12:27
If I can tell your nationality but can’t tell who your team sponser is then your helmet is brilliant.
Button, Alonso, Petrov, Di Resta, Kobayashi, Trulli,
Karthikeyan, Glock and d’Ambrosio all pass my test.
1. SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23)
  2nd April 2011, 12:29
  Liuzzo gets a demerit for having a helmet thats different colours depending on the side your looking at – did he forget BAR/Honda and their terrible livery?
  1. Dane
    2nd April 2011, 12:36
    i think the colours represent his nationality
  2. cubejam (@cubejam)
    2nd April 2011, 20:12
    You mean the most obvious national helmet? Green, white and Red?
    1. SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23)
      4th April 2011, 8:49
      But only from the front or do you think a national flag should share the colours front & back?
      Red and white on the front and green on the back, does that work for you?
      Didn’t think so…
2. sam3110
  2nd April 2011, 12:33
  Surely Di Resta fails as he has an ialian flag on it but racs under the British flag?
  1. Victor_RO (@victor_ro)
    2nd April 2011, 20:22
    His family is of Italian descent.
3. claudioff
  2nd April 2011, 16:19
  How many drivers do have a reference of their country in their helmets?
  I came up with the bellow list and if I miss something, please, let me know.
  Sebastian Vettel: None reference
  Mark Webber: has the colours
  Lewis Hamilton: None reference
  Jenson Button: clearly a stylized flag
  Fernando Alonso: Has the spanish flag.
  Felipe Massa: has the colours
  Michael Schumacher: None reference
  Nico Rosberg: None reference
  Nick Heidfeld: A small flag.
  Vitaly Petrov: other stylized flag
  Rubens Barrichello: None
  Pastor Maldonado : a stylized flag
  Adrian Sutil: a tiny black/red/yellow(gold) reference
  Paul di Resta: A scothish with a italian flag? His family name seams to be italian.
  Kamui Kobayashi: None reference
  Sergio Perez: has the colours
  Sebastien Buemi: The top is the swiss flag
  Jaime Alguersuari: None reference
  Heikki Kovalainen: None reference
  Jarno Trulli: has the colours
  Narain Karthikeyan: has the colours
  Vitantonio Liuzzi :None reference
  Timo Glock: Has a torn german flag
  Jerome d’Ambrosio: has the colours
  It seems that more than 50% of the drivers (14 out of 24) are more patriotic than the rest.
  The best helmet design? Schumacher without the Monster add.
  1. ajokay (@)
    2nd April 2011, 20:21
    Of course, Schumacher used to have a very prominent German flag on the sides of his helmet before he ‘went red’.
  2. Mr.Zing Zang
    2nd April 2011, 23:49
    Hamilton is Grenada
  3. Mr.Zing Zang
    2nd April 2011, 23:50
    Luizzi was originally italian too
davey (@djdaveyp87)
2nd April 2011, 12:27
Nico Rosberg’s helmet is beautiful so I voted for it, love the matt grey.
1. JamoduF1
  2nd April 2011, 21:16
  Sure, but his Nico logo is a blatant copy of Tyco (toy manufacturer from the 80’s) :)
  1. JamoduF1
    3rd April 2011, 9:03
    :D
  2. JamoduF1
    3rd April 2011, 9:05
    ^^Oops… having some link issues
    I used to love my Tyco Formula Grand Prix as a kid. I bet Nico had one too :)
sam3110
2nd April 2011, 12:31
I like D’ambrosio’s, Alonso’s, Button’s (the JB has been modernised and it looks much better now) Schumacher’s (it’s iconic, but he needs the fading german flag back on the side) and Kobayashi’s because I think we need more purple in f1!
Witsinfr (@witsinfr)
2nd April 2011, 12:31
Hmm Liuzzi for me – funny how he has port and starboard colours so at least you’ll easily know when he’s looking forward.
1. mags (@mags)
  2nd April 2011, 13:01
  Or going forward…
butterdori (@butterdori)
2nd April 2011, 12:34
Vettel and Heidfeld for me
Petrov’s Russian flag inspired helmet looks good too
alexf1man (@alexf1man)
2nd April 2011, 12:35
Still love the DJ on the back of Hamilton’s (along with his surname as a new extra by the looks of it)
But I also like those of Button, Alonso, Petrov, Barrichello, Maldonado, Di Resta, Kobayashi, Perez, Kovalainen, Trulli and D’Ambrosio.
infy (@infy)
2nd April 2011, 12:51
<3 Alonso's. Great colours.
After Lewis's comments about him being Senna and now seeing how much alike his helmet is to Senna's, it just infuriates me.
1. Steph (@)
  2nd April 2011, 13:33
  It’s just coincidence that his helmet is similar to Senna’s. I think the colours were chosen because they were bright so his dad could spot him easily back in his karting days.
  1. Dougie (@f1droid)
    2nd April 2011, 20:48
    Yeah, I heard that also that it was easier for his Dad to keep tabs on him.
    But, even if there was Senna links in his helmet, I think Hamilton’s Helmet is more “inspired” by Senna rather than just “copying”.
  2. Hare (@hare)
    2nd April 2011, 20:49
    .. and also, he really like Lego :)
2. Damon
  2nd April 2011, 14:06
  I feel the same, senna is nowhere near good enough to ever wear the same colours as lewis
3. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  2nd April 2011, 20:07
  how much alike his helmet is to Senna’s
  Aside from the fact that they’re both predominantly yellow they haven’t got anything in common at all:
  http://formula1eferrari.altervista.org/_altervista_ht/Ayrton_Senna_da_Silva_casco.jpg
  Not the first time it’s occurred to me that some people are rather eager to have a go at Hamilton over the slightest little thing.
  1. TommyB (@tommyb89)
    2nd April 2011, 20:16
    How can you have a go at someone for having a huge passion for Formula One and Ayrton Senna?
    Personally I like to see an F1 driver who has been a fan of the sport and influenced by a driver from the past.
    It’s not even copied from him and even if it was I never heard people saying Jean Alesi thinks he’s Elio De Angelis or others who have had tribute helmets.
  2. Robyn
    2nd April 2011, 20:24
    I always assumed Hamilton’s helmet was yellow as a tribute to Senna, his hero! But it was merely an assumption, I admit.
  3. TommyB (@tommyb89)
    2nd April 2011, 21:16
    Did people use to complain about Jean Alesi saying “That Jean Alesi thinks he’s Elio De Angelis” or did they respect him for paying tribute to one of his heroes?
    1. Owen Edwards
      3rd April 2011, 0:13
      And what about Pedro Diniz using the same helmet as Derek Daly?
4. cubejam (@cubejam)
  2nd April 2011, 20:14
  Agreed. The whole “I’m as brilliant as senna, I’m amazing, I’m the next senna” crap makes me rage.
  1. David5
    2nd April 2011, 20:24
    @cubejam Maybe if you learn how to read english you would know he didn’t say he was as brilliant as Senna. Lewis has Senna as his hero and WOULD LIKE TO BE like him. There’s nothing wrong having goal in your life. Some people should do so rather than spending 24 hours bashing successful sportmen in internet.
  2. TommyB (@tommyb89)
    2nd April 2011, 20:25
    “I’m as brilliant as senna, I’m amazing, I’m the next senna”
    Yes because Hamilton has certainly said that. Please find that quote for me, I’d love to read that article.
    I don’t see anyone moaning at Vettel for idolising Schumacher or Button for idolising Prost.
    It’s just another ridiculous excuse to dislike Hamilton no matter what he does.
  3. Mr.Zing Zang
    2nd April 2011, 23:53
    Haters gonna hate..
    1. blip
      3rd April 2011, 7:35
      Anyone who has seen Lewis drive Senna’s McLaren will realise the respect and awe he has for him…
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yCsdnUW2Ww
  4. Damon
    5th April 2011, 9:09
    True mate Lewis is a better driver than senna ever was
SennaNmbr1 (@)
2nd April 2011, 12:52
Petrov. Looks awesome in this year’s car, too.
Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
2nd April 2011, 12:53
Do you reckon there would be anyone ~~brave~~ mental enough to actually let a tank drive over their head whilst wearing a helmet? :P
1. damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
  3rd April 2011, 1:02
  Haha I’ve thought about that before! They should get a mannequin or something just as a demonstration/PR stunt. It would be awesome! They could put a little camera in the helmet to show what it would be like to have your head run over by a tank… :P
Hare (@hare)
2nd April 2011, 12:54
I like Kamui’s and Sutils.. Although Sutil’s one kind of loses impact when you see ‘Capri Sun’ written down the side of it.
I also like the look of Perez helmet, which looks like he was driving as they were applying the paint.
1. mags (@mags)
  2nd April 2011, 13:02
  LOL
2. kinz (@kinz)
  2nd April 2011, 14:00
  I like the ‘super’ perez on the back of his helmet.
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
2nd April 2011, 12:59
I like Heidfeld’s and Rosberg’s. I guess Germans have quite a taste when it comes to helmets.
TMFOX
2nd April 2011, 13:01
Nice to see that Barrichello has more or less stuck with the same design for the last 19 years. Have we ever done a feature on how F1 drivers have changed their designs over the years?
Nigelstash (@)
2nd April 2011, 13:14
Heidfeld = Darth Vader. His car was about as quick as the Death Star last week.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
2nd April 2011, 13:18
he most estheatically pleasing helmet designs for me would be Rosberg’s, Heidfeld’s and Petrov’s. Well designed and the color combinations work.
I don’t care much for the dated designs of Barichello’s, Trulli’s and Perez’s helmets.
The abolute worst design has to be Liuzzi’s. From both sides. Geez.
I think, above all, helmets should help recognize the driver. As such Hamilton’s, Heidfeld’s, Rosbergs and Schumacher’s helmets work really well.
All the non-distinct Red Bull designs are obviously the most useless in this regard.
GeeMac (@geemac)
2nd April 2011, 13:20
There are loads of great lids this season, probably only Sutil letting the side down…agsin.
just.daz (@nemo87)
2nd April 2011, 13:24
I voted for lewis. I love how he has it as a tribute/mark of respect to senna and also its not as ‘busy’ as most of the others. Also Lewis has pretty much stuck to the same design since starting in F1.. even then its only been ‘modernised’ since his earlier days. unlike a lot of the other drivers who change their design every-other race. Vettel being Top of that list haha :)
As brundle said ‘A helmet design is supposed to be a trademark to a Driver and shouldnt be changed all the time’ ..or something along those lines :)
1. Steph (@)
  2nd April 2011, 13:37
  Actually (I think I just said on a previous page but I msised your comment sorry!) it isn’t specifically a tribute to Senna but he chose yellow as it was bright so his dad could find him easily when he was karting I think.
  I agree that driver’s shouldn’t change their helmets much. When people think of Senna they think of the gold helmet poking out of the black/gold Lotus. It’s iconic and is part of his identity. Designs really help set drivers apart.
  1. just.daz (@nemo87)
    2nd April 2011, 15:56
    yeah your right about the Karting comment :) but he also could have another yellow design. this is like his own take on senna’s design. i’ll try and find some old pics of Lewis. his helmet was much more ‘senna’ back then :)
2. Ads21 (@ads21)
  2nd April 2011, 13:50
  Yer I completely agree with the trademark design comment. I want helmets to be distinctive with each driver and to stay pretty much the same over the course of the his career. Hamilton’s is great for that, as is Massa’s, Barrichello’s. The same goes for Alonso whose helmet for the last two years have been pretty much the same as his ’06 helmet which itself was a variation of the helmet he used from karting to 2005. Broadly speaking I always prefer simple designs which drivers stick with.
  Vettel’s changes virtually every race which really annoys me, thankfully Webber’s is consistent so we can tell the difference between the two Red Bulls.
  1. Steph (@)
    2nd April 2011, 17:42
    Agree with you Ads. Let’s forget Alonso’s awful 07 helmet…
    1. Pink Pirelli
      3rd April 2011, 0:34
      DC was always the best for that, his saltire design was so easily recognisable over the years.
box this lap (@sebashuis)
2nd April 2011, 13:25
reminds me of Eddie Irvine. He had a great design when he was driving for Jaguar, now it’s hard to choose.
Rob Wilson (@rob-wilson)
2nd April 2011, 13:50
Gotta say Heikki, love the matt finish.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
2nd April 2011, 13:53
The Red Bull/STR ones are frankly hideous! It’s disappointing how much sponsors take up the helmets nowadays but with these ones it seems like the design is secondary to the sponsor.
I really don’t like the messy-complicated ones like Alonso’s either. Much prefer Schumacher’s and Rosberg’s.
But in the end I went for Nick’s. Completely designed for the car he’s driving but nice all the same.
kateafan
2nd April 2011, 13:53
Perez’s “super hero” motif is worth a vote!
Also like Webber and Button’s patriotic and classic designs. Petrov’s ripped flag, Liuzzi’s distinctive style.
Over all though, Alguersuari’s is very stylish!
Not liking Sutil’s and di Resta’s messy lids.
Broxter (@)
2nd April 2011, 14:02
I’m amazed by how many people assume Lewis Hamilton’s yellow is a tribute to Aryton Senna…
He has always raced with a yellow helmet, originally so that his father could tell which kart Lewis was driving back in his karting days.
1. just.daz (@nemo87)
  2nd April 2011, 15:58
  yeah your right about the Karting comment but he also could have another yellow design. this is like his own take on senna’s design. i’ll try and find some old pics of Lewis. his helmet was much more ‘senna’ back then :)
  1. Icthyes (@icthyes)
    2nd April 2011, 16:37
    Even the ribbons were from the old days, they were just changed and moved, partly because the original ones were a bit naff (according to Lewis) and also the white ring and sponsors had to be accommodated.
    There is nothing in his Helmet to do with Senna. I could be wrong but the green and red might have something to do with Grenada, where Anthony Hamilton’s parents came from. Not sure about the blue though.
2. Patrickl (@patrickl)
  2nd April 2011, 20:11
  Hamilton’s dad just said that to get rid of the “Hamilton is trying to be the new Senna” whining from the haters.
  Look at the designs side by side (especially Hamilton’s older designs). A yellow helmet with a blue band around the bottom and green band along the top. It’s almost identical!
  There is no way I’m gonna buy his claim that it wasn’t based on Senna’s design.
  1. electrolite (@electrolite)
    2nd April 2011, 21:08
    I agree. Just because someone argues a driver’s helmet design derives from another’s doesn’t mean it’s a criticism.
    Lewis’ is, to some extent, a homage, which is perfectly acceptable.
    1. just.daz (@nemo87)
      3rd April 2011, 14:44
      well said with the homage comment
BS (@bs)
2nd April 2011, 14:12
I think Hamilton’s helmet is the best looking one. The Colours are stylish , the design is clean and reads very well from afar, but is detailed enough to be interesting up close.
Most of the other helmets are poorly designed, too detailed, have oversaturated colours and neither read well from a distance nor from up close.
Granted, I am a sucker for clean design. :)
raymondu999 (@raymondu999)
2nd April 2011, 14:19
Alonso’s and Hamilton’s helmets are very similar in terms of color scheme for drivers who claim to be bitter rivals
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
2nd April 2011, 14:26
Gotta be Schumacher’s for me, it hasn’t got as much going on as the other ones, there are some brilliant ones out there, but I think it just looks brilliant against the car, Rosberg’s too!
Yoshisune (@yobo01)
2nd April 2011, 14:43
Heidefeld’s helmet is the best in my opinion. It’s perfect for his car. I like Petrov’s helmet too, but the Lotus logo ruins it a bit. Vettel’s is really cool, I like its sparkling design.
Eggry (@eggry)
2nd April 2011, 14:46
Vettel : I’ve never liked Vettel’s helmet.
Webber : I think Webber’s helmet is more Redbullish. but it does not reflect his character.
Hamilton : I know his Seena fandom but I don’t blame it.
Button : Typical British driver’s helmet.
Alonso : I liked last year’s much more. barcode is much better than insanely big logo.
Massa : Green…and blue…whatelse?
Schumacher : Red. It’s more definite than he was in Ferrari.
Rosbers : Mercedes-like design. I love yellow color.
Heidfeld : almost totally black+gold+red. JPS style?
Petrov : Russian flag style. I like it.
Rest : I don’t care much.
Best : Schumacher’s without Monster. Alonso’s without silly Scuderia Ferrari Malboro logo.
1. electrolite (@electrolite)
  2nd April 2011, 20:55
  Webber’s always had blue red and yellow colours.
  Also Button’s helmet is only typically British in which he based the designed loosely on the union jack. A lot of the other driver use their own nationalities flags…
TMAX
2nd April 2011, 15:16
With all honesty looking at the results the Voting does not seemed to be based on the best helmet but rather on the favorite driver. With due respect the comments also seem to talk more about the drivers rather than voting for the helmet.
Keith Maybe you should have placed the helmets without the driver names. The results could have been slightly better. Though some of them are obvious many others would still have a chance.
Alex Bkk
2nd April 2011, 15:32
The paint on the helmets are crap to be honest. It’s only because you know a teams livery that you can spot a driver because the other driver has a crap helmet paint job of a different shade, at least that’s how it looks on TV.
The best helmets of the last billion years of F1 are, Jackie Stewart’s, Damon Hill’s, Eddie Irvine’s, Ayrton Senna’s, Michael Schumacher’s and Lewis Hamilton’s.
Sorry but all the kiddy graphics put me off. I really hate when a driver changes his helmet.
schooner (@schooner)
2nd April 2011, 15:39
Barrichello’s lid isn’t getting much love here, but it got my vote. I have always preferred very simple designs, and his looks clean and uncluttered. I understand that modern sponsorship demands make this look hard to accomplish, but to my eye, most helmets these day are too busy looking. I always paint my own motorcycle helmets (good thing I like simple!), and I may even do a variation of his design on my next one. High praise indeed, I know :)
1. bosyber
  2nd April 2011, 17:22
  I tend to agree – the simpler designs are also much easier to pick out during a race, which is rather important. I like the thing Mercedes has with Schumacher a red helmet, Nico a yellow, matching their camera’s (wonder how that goes if Nico would win WDC :-p), both looking quite distinctive.
  Looking closer, I also like the idea of Alonso’s helmet, and the colour of Kimi’s – but like many others, they are tooo busy (also where Massa’s design is too much for me). Hamilton is on the right side of that, as is Button (but only because the pattern on his is easily recognized).
  Oh, d’Ambrosio’s helmet is very good, I think, as is the helmet of Petrov – distinctive and not too cluttered. I chose d’Ambrosio, to encourage him to keep it!
  Karthikeyan and Trulli’s helmets look okay, for me, from the side, but aren’t looking great from the front and back for me.
  Heidfeld’s design would be quite okay, apart from it being matched to the car. I agree with many other posters, that drivers should strive to keep their helmet design intact when changing teams.
  Red Bull helmets fail in this respect of course, and they also are too busy. Webber’s helmet manages to look the most individual (didn’t start with RBR). In a way, what Vettel does, changing it constantly, is maybe the only way to have a unique design, but it doesn’t help recognize him (use track position?).
  1. Alex Bkk
    3rd April 2011, 14:13
    Agree 100%
robbiepblake (@driftin)
2nd April 2011, 15:47
Kobayashi’s is the most awesome, Sutil’s is definitely the worst.
Adrian J (@adrian-j)
2nd April 2011, 15:55
The worst 2 in my opinion are Vettel and Buemi’s…come on guys, we know you were rbought up to F1 by the Red Bull Driver Programme, but you don’t have to model your helmet after a can of the stuff…
1. Jake
  2nd April 2011, 17:12
  my thoughts exactly
  1. Pink Pirelli
    3rd April 2011, 0:39
    I agree, altough last years helmets were even worse. From some angles, it looked like it was a giant can of the stuff behind the wheel.
Scudderite (@scudderite)
2nd April 2011, 16:07
I have a replica of Lewis’ helmet, signed by him in gold pen, in my office courtesy of my kind boss, and mighty fine it looks too.
Scary Terry (@hatebreeder)
2nd April 2011, 16:17
isn’t Alonso’s helmet bent inwards at the visor region? like someone punched him on the nose? or am i just seeing it wrong?
1. infy (@infy)
  2nd April 2011, 21:42
  The white on the Ferrari logo does make it look like that. Take a look at Massa’s to see his also suffers from the same illusion.
McG (@mcg)
2nd April 2011, 16:23
It just shows the influence that Hamilton has over people, that they will vote for his helmet to look the best when it’s actually clearly one of the worst.
Mustard yellow with a few stripes haha.
And we all know the Senna connection. Ahh the psychology of it all.
ajokay (@)
2nd April 2011, 17:07
I think Kobayashi’s is my favourite.
Much as I don’t like the guy, Massa’s helmet design is very striking. The green and matte black of Heikki’s works well, and the graphite, gold & burgandy of Sutil’s looks classy.
I’m liking Quick Nick’s new matte black and gold lid too.
chi-tom (@chi-tom)
2nd April 2011, 17:24
I was struck by the simple and focused energy of Vettle’s helmet design – all form has energy. This can only support his strength of will which appears superior to that of his competitors.
Shagrathian
2nd April 2011, 17:31
I’ll say both Jenson and Alonso.
Himmat S.
2nd April 2011, 17:34
I think Hamilton’s helmet kind of sucks from that picture. It looks way more awesome in real life…
SupaSix-1
2nd April 2011, 17:40
The best ones are without any doubt: Lewis’, Schumacher’s, Heidfeld’s and Massa’s.
DaveW
2nd April 2011, 17:54
Schumacher’s best because you can tell who is driving the car without being two feet away from it. Button’s comes second. Time was, drivers had strong graphic designs, like Hill, Coulthard, Palmer, Andretti. Now most drivers prefer designs that look like absent-minded doodles in the corner of a school notebook. Fussy, random—leaving aside the sponsorship accomodation, still eye-watering.
Maldonado’s is ghastly. Looks like it was done by a grade school kind with markers.
alonsodz
2nd April 2011, 17:56
I like Alonso’s n Button’s :D well made ;)
Kenny (@kenny)
2nd April 2011, 18:07
I heard or read somewhere that Alex Wurz does helmet artwork for some of these guys, and for drivers in other series…can anyone confirm or elaborate on that?
melkurion (@melkurion)
2nd April 2011, 18:11
They’re all pretty and flashy etc etc…but just one made me think of RACING!, the classical design of Barichello’s helmet :)
cubejam (@cubejam)
2nd April 2011, 18:51
Nicks helmet looks gorgeous, I love black helmets.
Sean Evans
2nd April 2011, 19:01
There is no point of showing Sebastian Vettels helmet because he changes it practically every race anyway. But for me Buttons is by far the nicest i have always love the colours but with that new design its stunning!
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
2nd April 2011, 19:05
Heikki easily takes the nod in my book. I love the lack of sponsors on his helmet, gives it a cleaner, better look. Seeing so many helmets reminds me of how cool and sinister they can look at the same time. It makes the racing real and makes me feel like a kid again, and Heikki’s helmet is the only one that makes the kid in me say “ooh cool.” It’s a shame other drivers don’t have less sponsorship on their helmets, I think it is one area where the driver should be able to pick anything and everything that goes on it.
As a side note, props to Heidfeld for a helmet that goes well with his car, and to Button for incorporating so many personal touches to his, the Union Jack, the Japanese symbols for his girlfriend etc.
The Last Pope
2nd April 2011, 19:17
Ny vote will be going to Webber for his maps helmet design http://cdn-3.motorsport.com/static/img/mgl/1000000/1090000/1094000/1094200/1094223/s1_1.jpg thats some amazing detail there.
electrolite (@electrolite)
2nd April 2011, 19:43
Loving the picture on the back of Perez’s!
I voted Jaime Alguersuari – when he’s in the car it looks particularly good. but to be honest I could have voted for Massa, Heidfeld, Kovaleinen or Maldonado.
Duchess (@duchess)
2nd April 2011, 20:30
My favourite is hands-down Kobayashi’s. That deep shade of red with the swirls, I can’t get over it! I just pretend the sponsors aren’t all over that thing because it’s just wonderful.
I like Petrov’s too as it’s so distinctive, and I like that he’s got multiple helmets with different “Russian icons” on the back (one from Moscow & another from St. Petersburg).
john_gr
2nd April 2011, 20:35
The helmet Kimi was wearing! Still the best! :)
Don Mateo
2nd April 2011, 21:44
I notice that Timo Glock no longer has “Glockdog” written on the back of his!
It’s also interesting to see some of the extra details on the backs of the helmets, like Lewis’s DJ or Super Perez – we don’t often get to see these.
I like the ones that have a strong and uncluttered design, such as Lewis’s, Jenson’s, Alonso’s and even d’Ambrosio’s. Putting in a few references to nationality or even home region is good as well, like the Asturian flag on Alonso’s. I also like the way Liuzzi’s follows the design of the Italian flag and is a different colour on either side.
I definitely preferit when a driver sticks with one basic helmet design throughout their career, they really are like signatures, and really helpful for identifying which car you’re looking at sometimes.
sato113 (@sato113)
2nd April 2011, 22:14
i voted for d’Ambrosio. I like the colours and the neat design.
KlBD
2nd April 2011, 22:34
Love the good smile logo on Kobayashi’s helmet…hopefully we’ll see a nendoroid of him in the future :D
wigster (@wigster)
2nd April 2011, 22:54
I voted for Liuzzi. I like the fact his helmet only uses a few colours and a relativeley simple, uncluttered design, though thats partly down to a lack of sponsors. i also like the mostly green side as i think green is currently underused in F1 (apart from the grass!).
BROOKSY007 (@brooksy007)
2nd April 2011, 23:16
webbers, hamiltons and buttons are by far the best, can’t stand when drivers change their designs! Or when they get too clustered or colourful- simpler ones work better on tv also
Hare (@hare)
2nd April 2011, 23:25
Apparently Vettel has the biggest helmet in Formula 1…
vinicius.jlantunes (@vinicius-jlantunes)
2nd April 2011, 23:57
Luizzi’s is awful….. I like Nick’s and Jerome’s.
Lord Ha Ha
3rd April 2011, 0:45
This reflects the run of opinion on this site :
50% hero voting
30% national voting (embedded flag colours like Button v Hamilton)
20% address the issue voting
Pink Pirelli
3rd April 2011, 0:47
I like Massa’s the best. Bold colours, and effective use of the design.
Kie
3rd April 2011, 1:50
Fantastic Post Kieth, I’m a graphic Designer myself- though I’ve never designed anything quite like this….
Button’s is good, Shuey’s not as good as it should be… the winner for me is Maldonado, and Heidfeld’s a close second as it works with the livery…
Lets face it all the designs are Garish to say the least, such is the format….
Narain Karthikeyan is the worst, perhaps aptly.. looks like an off the shelf job…
personally I’d like to see a minimal design, recon it’d have more impact
DVC
3rd April 2011, 2:23
Hamilton has the most votes so far (49). I guess this explains why he is so popular – everyone likes his helmet! ;)
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
3rd April 2011, 4:16
Quick Nick for me.
AK
3rd April 2011, 4:28
Hamilton and Button’s helmets are amongst the most boring; don’t know how anyone can vote for them. I like Heidfeld, Kamui, Alguersuari, Liuzzi, Schumacher.
Osvaldas31 (@osvaldas31)
3rd April 2011, 10:20
I voted for Schumacher’s helmet, but it’s clear that those ugly sponsorship logos ruin helmet design. I miss Raikkonen’s helmet – it was really impressive.
montreal95 (@montreal95)
3rd April 2011, 10:54
For me it was between Heidfeld, Kova and D’Ambrosio. I chose D’Ambrosio-nice combo of colours just looks simple and elegant.
Crispin
3rd April 2011, 11:09
I like
Petrovs helmet
Kovalainens helmet
Liuzzis helmet
Buemis helmet
Kie
3rd April 2011, 11:38
I just notcied DiRestas has a Italian flag on it, but no Scottish… which reminds me, Coulthards was good
just.daz (@nemo87)
3rd April 2011, 15:26
just saw young nick hamiltons helmet. identical in design to lewis’ but nicks is blue :)
so is nicks also a homage to senna or to lewis haha ;)
vlasovas
3rd April 2011, 16:03
thanks
these photos were very helpful, congratulations, and great resolution!
alonsodz
3rd April 2011, 16:47
I like Alonso’s n Button’s :D
JUGNU (@jugnu)
3rd April 2011, 16:48
Voted for Hamilton’s Helmet. Always reminds me of Senna’s Yellow helmet. Also like Schumacher’s red helmet.
Klaas
3rd April 2011, 17:28
1. Vettel
2. Kobayashi
3. Kovalainen
This is my top 3. The ones of Alonso, Hamilton, Massa are nice too but their design is so old that I got sick of them. Anyways the best helmet design I ever seen was Kimi’s when he was driving for Ferrari.
foleyger (@foleyger)
3rd April 2011, 19:52
I went for Webber. Heiki’s is the worst
Dan Newton (@dan-newton)
3rd April 2011, 21:06
Has to be Jenson’s for me. Though when I used to ride I always had a black one – or Volvo fodder as my intructor used to call it.
1. Dan Newton (@dan-newton)
  3rd April 2011, 21:09
  *instructor
Gera
3rd April 2011, 22:01
Robert Kubica’s helmet is the best :)
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
4th April 2011, 4:11
Petrov, Button, Massa and Alguersuari have the best designs. Trulli, Kovalainen, Perez and Kobayashi also have nice designs. I’m really not a fan of Heidfeld, Buemi and Vettel’s, though; I hate helmets that are in team or corporate colours (even if Heidfeld had that design drawn up for Singapore 2010) because they just blend in with the car too much and look totally generic.
Adrian Sutil had the ugliest helmet last year, and he still does, but he’s got stiff competition from di Resta, Maldonado and d’Ambrosio.
James (@jamesf1)
4th April 2011, 9:19
Tough one, but Schumacher just gets it for me. Like many others, I like both the Mercedes driver’s lids. I like Heikki’s too, the green and black works well with each other.
I think my favourite helemt of recent times was Button’s monster helmet he wore during Race of Champions in 2009 though, looked stunning!
Jraybay-HamiltonMclarenfan
6th April 2011, 18:44
Lewis!! Basically any helmet from toro rosso or Mclaren I like D:
sozavele (@formula-1)
7th April 2011, 9:02
The only reason why Hamilton is top is beacause of his fan base. His helmet is actually quite dull and overall not as viberant as some of the others. From now on people should vote on what the poll entails not on personality. I voted Heidfield when I hate him and support Alonso, beacuse I thought Heidfield had the best helmet.
Failnando Alonso
11th April 2011, 4:50
RIISE, stop trolling in F1 Fanatic. Your nonsense > facts
kyzer 41
26th April 2011, 14:56
For the 2nd year running for me its Timo Glocks helmet i love it its peng from above
– i dislike Heikki’s a lot its to bright lol