Sebastian Vetteal and Lando Norris have revealed special helmet designs for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Norris, who is driving at Suzuka for the first time, has adapted his usual design with a hand-painted look by Agnieszka Wienand, who created the artwork Vettel used on his helmet at the Japanese Grand Prix last year. It incorporates images of clouds, mountains, flowers and a rising sun.Vettel’s helmet for this weekend includes the word ‘Suzuka’ in bold letters, but painted in the colours of the German flag, keeping a visual similarity to other helmets he has worn this year. Drivers are required to use a similar helmet design, with a single exception, throughout a season.
The Ferrari driver has won four times at Suzuka and describes it as his favourite circuit.
“It’s definitely one of the best tracks we race on,” said Vettel. “It’s my favourite track.
“It doesn’t look like a car park when you look at it. I think it’s has [retained] a lot of its character throughout the years. So I think it is a great track. Great corners, great corner combinations.”
Pierre Gasly has also revealed a special helmet design for this weekend’s race. The white and red design features tributes to Jules Bianchi, who died following a crash at this race five years ago, and Anthoine Hubert, who lost his life following a crash at Spa in August.
Another new helmet which will be seen in action this weekend belongs to Naoki Yamamoto, who will drive in an F1 practice session for the first time with Toro Rosso.
2019 Japanese Grand Prix helmets: Sebastian Vettel, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly and Naoki Yamamoto
This article will be updated.
Quotes: Dieter Rencken
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pastaman (@)
10th October 2019, 14:53
Someone tell Lando to take pictures in landscape mode for chrissake.
GeeMac (@geemac)
10th October 2019, 15:44
Yamamoto’s helmet looks like a mix of Red Bull’s “we own all the space on here” style and a circa 2008 Lewis Hamilton lid.
Jere (@jerejj)
10th October 2019, 16:41
@geemac Yes, that indeed is a bit reminiscent to LH’s basic Mclaren-design.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
10th October 2019, 19:43
@geemac With the yellow exterior and green interior I was thinking more like Senna (though obviously not a million miles away!)
Duncan Snowden
10th October 2019, 17:26
I wasn’t expecting to like these, but the back of Lando’s is absolutely beautiful, reminiscent of handpainted porcelain. More of this kind of thing, please.
Jeorge
11th October 2019, 4:31
Vettel’s helmet design has definitely become iconic
Weird from someone who used to change them all the time
PT (@pt)
11th October 2019, 7:29
Didn’t Lando already use a special lid this season? So as per the helmet livery rules, he shouldn’t be allowed to use this helmet, since Daniil Kvyat was prevented from using a specially liveried helmet for his home race just because he had already used one. I hate these rules, but if imposed there should be some consistency.