The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association will urge the FIA to revoke a rule which restricts how often they may change their helmet designs, Lewis Hamilton has said.
Many F1 drivers have criticised the rule. After running a poll on social media, Hamilton said an overwhelming number of fans believe it should be dropped.The regulation, introduced in 2015, states that “in order for drivers to be easily distinguished from one another whilst they are on the track, the crash helmet of each driver must, with the exception of one competition of the driver’s choice, be presented in substantially the same livery at every competition during a championship season.”
Hamilton said he doesn’t “fully understand” why the rule was brought in. “But I hope with the GPDA we can work with the FIA to change it.”
He said drivers can’t easily be identified by their helmet designs as it is. “With the halo you can’t even really see it anyway.
“But I think it’s really important that, I’ve always said, each individual should be able to express their own individuality and their creativeness. That’s something I always got really creative with. You see some people obviously changing their helmets all the time.”
Hamilton has adapted his helmet design again this weekend in honour of Ayrton Senna.
“I always generally do a helmet in honour of Ayrton during the Brazilian Grand Prix,” he said. “It’s kind of a salute to him.
“But also I know that obviously there’s no Brazilian drivers here. And I know how much Brazil misses Ayrton. So it’s really kind of cool, not that they can really see my helmet, but it’s cool just to bring that back each year. Plus he’s the guy obviously that inspired me to do what I do.”
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DAllein (@)
15th November 2019, 16:57
They should be careful.
They will be allowed to change helmet designs, but will be restricted to a single pair of Superman-style underwear per season.
(credits to the other RaceFans member for this – I voiced the idea of permanent underwear previously, but then it was enhanced with Superman-style by one of RaceFans members, whose name unfortunately I don’t remember)
Aleš Norský (@gpfacts)
15th November 2019, 17:10
Tend to agree with drivers on this one. Today’s cars have their heads just about peeping out of the cockpit and the halo obstructs it further. Plus, there are no iconic helmet designs like Stewart’s or Andretti’s anymore. Most are a patchwork quilt of colors, not that substantially different from one another.
GT Racer (@gt-racer)
15th November 2019, 17:13
I find it rather hilarious how vehemently David Croft defends this rule going as far as suggesting it’s something fans like and that changing it will make things far too confusing.
Given how easily confused he seems to be he wouldn’t last 2 races in Indycar where drivers don’t just change helmet’s often but the car liveries also change often based on local sponsorship deals & stuff. His poor brain would stop functioning; Although it’s debatable if it hasn’t already given some of the nonsense that spews from his mouth.
Ivan Vinitskyy (@ivan-vinitskyy)
15th November 2019, 18:59
The quickest way to get the rule removed is to just break the rule consistently and force FIA to either drop it right there or be seen as a joke.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
15th November 2019, 19:53
After some hunting around I discovered this is part of rule 9.1 of the 2019 Formula One Sporting Regulations. So I decided to read what the rule book actually said. For those interested search “2019 Sporting Regulations – 2019-03-12” in a search engine.
While reading through the Car Livery rules (Section 9), I happened to read rule 9.3, which states
Now this rule got me thinking, because I was sure I’d seen lots of cars without the driver’s name being “clearly legible”. For example, in this picture of George Russell at Silverstone, we can’t see his “clearly legible” name, so I’m guessing it is “clearly legible” on the other side of the car. Of course, there’s the other very unlikely possibility that the diligent Stewards just don’t police this rule. If not, then maybe it is time to do away with the bureaucratic nonsense rule regarding helmets too. Also note how easily distinguishable Russell’s helmet is.
LosD (@losd)
15th November 2019, 20:31
I agree, but then it would be nice if there was something else to distinguish the drivers from the onboard camera. Maybe a yellow or red dot on the halo?
Dewald Nel (@ho3n3r)
15th November 2019, 22:35
Their name showing on the halo from the t-cam is already sufficient.
Corey (@dragon86)
16th November 2019, 1:00
Maybe its time F1 made a rule where each cars livery is unique. It’s much easier to tell who is who, when the distinguishing feature is front and center on the screen.
F1oSaurus (@)
16th November 2019, 7:19
Are teams allowed to change their livery every race?
I get that it’s a way to make more money for the drivers (selling replica’s of all their helmet designs), but don’t they make enough already?
Jockey Ewing
16th November 2019, 12:35
What do you think, if you’d be a F1 driver, would you spend your day thinking like this:
“Ahmm, how should I increase my earnings by another 1.5%?” :)
Probably even if someone at their management does so, they don’t ever interested of this fact.
Personally I think helmet designs are not that important factor at identifying drivers, but if sometimes they come up with a funny or cool design, or they are allowed to use the design to pay tribute to someone or something then it’s worthy.
It’s just intended to be part of the show.