Six Formula 1 drivers are sporting special helmets for one of the most celebrated races on the calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc’s 2023 Monaco Grand Prix helmet
The pair are paying tribute to their father Herve, who started the F3 race in Monaco five times between 1986 and 1990, and died in 2017. He achieved a best finish of eighth in the 1988 race, which was won by Enrico Bertaggia and featured future F1 drivers Erik Comas (second), Damon Hill (sixth) and Martin Donnelly (seventh).
“Our father gave us the passion for racing,” said the Ferrari driver. “We took exactly the same design but with my colours.”
“I’m sure he will be very proud of us seeing both of us racing in Monaco.”
Nyck de Vries’ 2023 Monaco Grand Prix helmet
Monaco isn’t new to F1 rookie Nyck de Vries – he’s raced there in Formula 2 and Formula E – and his helmet showcases some of the event’s heritage.
Lando Norris’ 2023 Monaco Grand Prix helmet
McLaren are celebrating their wins in the ‘Triple Crown’ of great motorsport races – The Indianapolis 500, Le Mans 24 Hours and Monaco Grand Prix. Norris’ helmet marks the team’s first win in the latter, Alain Prost’s 1984 triumph.
That year’s race was famously cut short due to heavy rain while Ayrton Senna was rapidly closing on the race leader. It was the first of nine wins in 10 years for McLaren at the track, five of which were scored by Senna, which put them on course to becoming the most successful F1 team of all time in the principality.
Oscar Piastri’s 2023 Monaco Grand Prix helmet
Meanwhile Oscar Piastri is wearing a helmet styled on the livery of McLaren’s 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning car. Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto shared victory in their F1 GTR, the latter putting in an impressive stint during a rain-hit phase of the race. They finished one lap ahead of a Courage-Porsche, and three more McLarens completed the top five.
Valtteri Bottas’ 2023 Monaco Grand Prix helmet
Valtteri Bottas‘ partner Tiffany Cromwell came up with his design based on an eighties arcade classic.
“It’s Pac-Man inspired,” said Bottas, “Well ‘Bot-Man’, actually, because Monaco is a maze. So that is the inspiration for this year’s helmet. As you can see there’s not Pac-Mans but F1 cars going around.”
Sergio Perez’s 2023 Monaco Grand Prix helmet
Last year’s Monaco Grand Prix winner says his special helmet for his return is “beautiful”.
“Basically we’re trying to replicate a diamond in Monaco to make sure it fits well here,” Sergio Perez explained.
Jere (@jerejj)
27th May 2023, 13:48
All are good but Bottas’ design is ultimately my favorite, followed by Piastri’s.