356 replies to this topic

[potmotr]

This thread is about a subject I find quite interesting, the helmets used by current F1 drivers.

Currently we have three brands being used in F1: Schuberth, Arai and Bell.

We've seen some interesting helmets moves in testing today.

Lewis Hamilton appears to be wearing a Bell after an entire career wearing Arais.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324438

Robert Kubica has also used an Arai for his whole F1 career, but is trying an unpainted Bell today.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324429

[Mansell4PM]

This thread is about a subject I find quite interesting, the helmets used by current F1 drivers.

Currently we have three brands being used in F1: Schuberth, Arai and Bell.

We've seen some interesting helmets moves in testing today.

Lewis Hamilton appears to be wearing a Bell after an entire career wearing Arais.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324438

Robert Kubica has also used an Arai for his whole F1 career, but is trying an unpainted Bell today.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324429

Any idea what brand Massa was wearing in Hungary?

Could some drivers have moved to that brand/model - IIRC the helmet was credited by various sources as having possibly saved Massa from far worse injuries.

[RodrigoL]

Lewis Hamilton appears to be wearing a Bell after an entire career wearing Arais.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324438

Interesting, thanks for pointing that out.

I would have thought Mac might force Button to change his career-long tradition, but the opposite seems to have happened..

[fat.monkey]

This thread is about a subject I find quite interesting, the helmets used by current F1 drivers.

Currently we have three brands being used in F1: Schuberth, Arai and Bell.

We've seen some interesting helmets moves in testing today.

Lewis Hamilton appears to be wearing a Bell after an entire career wearing Arais.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324438

Robert Kubica has also used an Arai for his whole F1 career, but is trying an unpainted Bell today.

http://www.autosport....php/id/1324429

please RK, keep it unpainted...

[potmotr]

Any idea what brand Massa was wearing in Hungary?

Massa was wearing a Schuberth RF1.

Ferrari appears to have an exclusive deal with the brand, because Alonso and Fisichella wear one, as did Badoer and Raikkonen.

It is also worn by the Schumacher brothers, Nico Hulkenberg and Nick Heidfeld.

http://www.schuberth.../formula-1.html

[potmotr]

I would have thought Mac might force Button to change his career-long tradition, but the opposite seems to have happened..

It would be werid for McLaren to launch with Hamilton using an Arai then change his brand the next week.

Perhaps they're trying to evaluate if the Bell offers better airflow into the airbox.

Red Bull made Mark Webber switch from an Schuberth to Arai for this reason.

[thiscocks]

please RK, keep it unpainted...

+1

[potmotr]

Lewis in a Bell HP3:

[potmotr]

Actually, it appears Hamilton is wearing a Schuberth.

[Atreiu]

Is there a consensus on which helmet is better?

Kubica should keep it black. That's bad ass.

Edited by Atreiu, 02 February 2010 - 17:50.

[potmotr]

Is there a consensus on which helmet is better?

Kubica should keep it black. That's bad ass.

I've never read a comparison between the three.

Would be interesting to talk to a driver who has tried all three.

I remember Anthony Davidson, who wore Bell, saying how critical the chin strips and little spoilers on top were in stopping the helmet lifting in the cockpit.

[FonzCam]

Speaking of Schuberth has anyone got a link to a photo of the prototype being tested by Massa today?

They've lost Kimi, Nick and Fisi as active drivers this year so maybe they're trying to get Hamilton on board. (Although you'd think having Schumi and Alonso would make up for it)

[Dino Scuderia]

Lewis in a Bell HP3:

Thats a Schubert

[feynman]

I remember Anthony Davidson, who wore Bell, saying how critical the chin strips and little spoilers on top were in stopping the helmet lifting in the cockpit.

the dreaded helmet-suck, nothing worse.

[olliek88]

on the subject of lewis's helmet i just noticed he apears to be swapping between the two different makes/styles, not sure why thou.



And



both pics taken today.

I said not sure why he is tryig different helmets but i guess its kinda obvious, to see if its any better wearing a diferent make, yup im pretty slow on the up take sometimes.

Edited by olliek88, 02 February 2010 - 18:05.

[potmotr]

I said not sure why he is tryig different helmets but i guess its kinda obvious, to see if its any better wearing a diferent make, yup im pretty slow on the up take sometimes.

The Schuberth is worth ten thousand Euros once painted.

Massive investment for Lewis just to have a go!

[rodoal1515]

The Schuberth is worth ten thousand Euros once painted.

Massive investment for Lewis just to have a go!

I doubt very much that he paid a single penny... the brand exposure to schuberth far outweighs the cost of giving him a helmet for free to try.

[Dolph]

The Schuberth is worth ten thousand Euros once painted.

Massive investment for Lewis just to have a go!

I disagree

[Peat]

the dreaded helmet-suck, nothing worse.

The first time i drove a single seater, my chin strap almost strangled me it was lifting that much on the straight!

- OT: I suspect Lewis (or management) made an approach to Schuberth, and they happily sent one off to get painted for him free of charge.

[potmotr]

I doubt very much that he paid a single penny... the brand exposure to schuberth far outweighs the cost of giving him a helmet for free to try.

Oh, I don't think Lewis would have paid.

A lot of car for Schuberth!

[Peat]

the dreaded helmet-suck, nothing worse.

Can't believe i didnt do this sooner, but:

Theres a few things worse than a helmet suck mate! Wheeeey! LADS! LADS! LADS!

........................

God i'm ashamed.

[engel]

There isn't a better or worse, safety wise.
Comfort wise Schuberth tends to be more customizable and therefore more comfortable but helmet choice often boils down to which one works best with the car's aero, especially for taller guys like RK

[ashnathan]

Ive been told the Bell is better for 'buffeting' than the arai. The Schuberth is downright hideous, the helmets are so oversized and fugly. The Arai is the best looking helmet but the Bell HP3 i could live with.

[thiscocks]

The schuberth just looks wrong with lewis's design. Hope he sticks with the Arai. Never been a fan of those schuberths anyway.

[potmotr]

You guys are right about the Schuberths being massive.

I'd quite like to know how much wider they are than an Arai.

[Owen]

The brands themselves used to be a lot more visible than they are nowadays.

[V8 Fireworks]

Thats a Schubert

Lewis looks like Schumi in a yellow helmet with the Schuberth Very different from his usual sleek style helmet.

The large helmet style like that is certainly closely associated with Schumi (and Ferrari).

[Alx09]

I prefered Lewis old Arai, just look at my avatar

[Hypnotise]

Oh Lewis dont be daft stick to the Arai,

[ashnathan]

The aria to me is the perfect balance of shape. The Schuberth is too wide, and the Bell is too tall. But like i said, Id rather see him wearing a HP3 than a wheely bin for a helmet.

[potmotr]

I wonder if Schuberth has the biggest marketing and sponsorship budget?

It's a big brand in Germany, and that exclusive Ferrari deal can't be cheap.

[Enkei]

I believe Schumacher introduced Schuberth to F1. The helmet was rumoured to bring the car 10 BHP due to better airflow (which was nonsense of course).

Edited by Enkei, 02 February 2010 - 22:38.

[TecnoRacing]

Wasn't one selling points of the Schuberth helmet - when it first debuted with Michael - was that is was considerably smaller than existing designs?

[OwenC93]

Can't believe i didnt do this sooner, but:

Theres a few things worse than a helmet suck mate! Wheeeey! LADS! LADS! LADS!

........................

God i'm ashamed.

ESpecially on the bell ...whey

That was bad and I should feel bad.

But on topic, it is strange to see different helmets all at the same time. Hopefully someone from the media could ask why.

[andyblackmore]

on the subject of lewis's helmet i just noticed he apears to be swapping between the two different makes/styles, not sure why thou.



And



both pics taken today.

I said not sure why he is tryig different helmets but i guess its kinda obvious, to see if its any better wearing a diferent make, yup im pretty slow on the up take sometimes.

found a larger one on another forum.
http://img24.imagesh...669/lewisos.jpg

[Bbbut]

I read the biggest advantage Schubert has over the others is their active "anti-misting" system / active heating visor. Heidfeld sad something like in rain conditions he can see twice as much as formerly: no more mist or drops on his visor since then. And it is just a few more grams he is willing to carry anytime given the benefits...

[ashnathan]

In relation to someone asking why Lewis didnt have this at the launch, the only thing in my mind could be that it was painted yet. It is know nthat Schuberth has released the 2010 spec lids so maybe, just maybe, it wasn't finished by the time of the launch and also maybe it only got delivered halfway through yesterdays test, cos i didnt see him switch back to the arai after putting the schuberth on.

The next test will tell the story, if Lewis is still wearing a schuberth im sad to say it but I think that will be his weapon of choice. Its just so damn ugly!

[craftverk]

Am I the only one that likes schuberth over arai? Looks cooler to me.

[cleobis]

Am I the only one that likes schuberth over arai? Looks cooler to me.

nope...I too think the Schuberth is much better looking than the arai...much more elegant....

[potmotr]

Apparently there's a new prototype Schuberth helmet being used in Valencia.

Massa tried it yesterday, Schumacher is trying it today.

Be interested to see how it is different to the RF1 both drivers have used in the past.

Like Massa's, the new Schumacher Schuberth is unpainted.

Edited by potmotr, 03 February 2010 - 09:43.

[potmotr]

Slightly better shot of the new Schuberth.

Aggressive air intakes on top.

http://www.flickr.co...tos/4327591804/

[ashnathan]

Kinda throws what I said about Lewis waiting for his to be completed. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't give him the latest helmet along with Massa and Michael if he is only just making the switch.

[FonzCam]

Kinda throws what I said about Lewis waiting for his to be completed. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't give him the latest helmet along with Massa and Michael if he is only just making the switch.

You'd give him a proven design every time, if there are problems with the new prototype then you might inadvertently put him off your product. Massa and Schumi know the old product well so can give good feedback about the new design.

[ashnathan]

Ahhhh the man in my footer! That's a good point, but personally, if I was Schuberth I would have let Lewis test the new prototype aswell as the old product. Or given him the option to at least.

[potmotr]

The basic safety of the helmet would be beyond doubt.

I guess the comfort factor would be in question, ie: how much it lifts and stuff.

[ashnathan]

Thats what I mean though, if they were worried about the safety aspect why would they try it in the first place. Hmm maybe we're reading too much at the moment and Lewis will rock up at Jerez with a HP3, or an Arai, or a Schuberth...or a Shoei haha

[carbonfibre]

Am I the only one that likes schuberth over arai? Looks cooler to me.

Schuberth makes great helmets. I have a schuberth helmet for my motorcycle and it's so quiet just amazing, plus the having an intergrated sun visor is also a huge plus, sure it's costs a lot of money but it's worth it.

[salamin]

Slightly better shot of the new Schuberth.

Aggressive air intakes on top.

http://www.flickr.co...tos/4327591804/

Schumacher should switch to black, looks sick with the car livery

[craftverk]

http://motorsport.ne...3fev/018wri.jpg

Looks like Button is also using schuberth.

Edited by craftverk, 03 February 2010 - 12:26.

[potmotr]

http://motorsport.ne...3fev/018wri.jpg

Looks like Button is also using schuberth.

Nope, that is the Bell HP3 he's been using for the past few seasons.

In fact, Button has never started an F1 race wearing anything other than a Bell.

Be interested to know about the relationship between him and the company.

For instance, do they pay him to wear the lids, or does he get them for nothing?

They're big ticket items, two and a half grand unpainted, and the drivers get through three or four a season I've been led to believe.