Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have special helmet designs for this weekend’s race, and Red Bull’s most successful driver has brought back an old look to commemorate the team’s late founder.
Sergio Perez’s 2022 Mexican Grand Prix helmet
Perez says his luchador-style helmet is “the most Mexican helmet I’ve ever done, representing my culture.” He could become the first Mexican driver to win their home race this weekend.
Max Verstappen’s 2022 Mexican Grand Prix helmet
Having clinched the drivers championship earlier this month in Suzuka and secured Red Bull’s fifth constructors title in Austin last week, Verstappen has introduced his final special helmet design for the last three races to commemorate the achievements. The gold helmet bearing the legend world champion “has special meaning of course,” says Verstappen, “a special year for everyone within the team.”
Sebastian Vettel’s 2022 Mexican Grand Prix helmet
During the drivers’ press conference on Thursday Sebastian Vettel paid an eloquent tribute to late Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Vettel was backed by the energy drink manufacturer from his early days in karting and went on to win races for both Red Bull and junior team Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri). He won four championships with the team and helped deliver their four consecutive constructors’ championships from 2010 to 2013.
Vettel’s helmet for this weekend closely resembles his original Red Bull design, even including their logo, although the Red Bull text has been replaced with the message “Danke Didi”.
2022 Mexican Grand Prix
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Jere (@jerejj)
29th October 2022, 16:12
Seb’s special design is my absolute favorite.
BasCB (@bascb)
29th October 2022, 16:15
I like Perez’ helmet. Vettel using this classic design to honour Mateschitz is a really nice tough and I like the design for it, even though overall the design isn’t great in itself.
Not a fan of the golden helmet to go with the golden shoes. Reminds me a lot of the Postmaster uniform in Terry Prattchet’s Going Postal!
Pedro
29th October 2022, 18:23
Vettel’s first RBR Helmet Tribute is just so great. I’ll miss Seb’s designs, by the way that could be a great article to see here :P
AlanD
29th October 2022, 18:56
What are the rules these days on how often drivers can change helmet designs? Actually, I quite like the simpler more retro designs when you could always see who the driver was at a glance, the yellow top of Senna, the white stripes of Damon Hill, and so on. I think one of the things that sets F1 apart from sports cars, Le Mans, etc, is that you can see and idenify with a driver, instead of just seeing a car, so I think it important that drivers have individualised helmet designs rather than team branding.