72 replies to this topic

[Jejking]

Guys, after watching this (hilarious) clip (LosMinidrivers!) I thought: let's open a thread about it.

 

For starters:

 

 

Vettel is changing his helmet design after a race win, which is quite fun to see but with Austria 2014 on his helmet I think it might be becoming more of an advertising board than something else. It's smart, but for fans it might be confusing and/or irritating when designs change a lot, because at some point you're getting used to a certain outlook.

 

Schumacher changed to the famous red design after Barrichello came in in 2000 and confusion reigned. What do you think guys, should there be a rule to limit the number of changes on the helmet per season or should it continue unrestricted?

 

 

[Farhannn15]

Personally I like the fact that the drivers change their helmets as it shows that they do have sense of humour or just emotion. Not sure about many of Seb's design's and this may sound a bit biased but I think Lewis's different design's are the best.

[midgrid]

I personally don't like drivers changing their helmets all the time, but they should be free to do so if they wish.  The sport is over-regulated as it is without restricting helmet design as well.

[Spillage]

There should be an intermediate option, I think. I like the idea of helmet-as-signature and suspect changing designs are confusing for new fans, but it's the driver's call.

[Nonesuch]

The sport is over-regulated as it is without restricting helmet design as well.

 

Agreed.

 

Recognizable helmets are nice, but do we really want some FIA appointee loafing around the paddock, enforcing helmet-designs with... what? A 10 place grid penalty?

[BlackCat]

i still remember times when f1 drivers (or at least some of them), just for the fun of it, tried out new supercars, new supermodels, new superhotels and superdrinks between races. compared to that, the idea of trying out a new helmet design seems seriuously dull. about as much fun as Kia trying out new grilles.

[dau]

I'd just like to see less or even no sponsor logos cluttering the helmets. But let them change the designs as often as they want.

[senna da silva]

I think there should be a choice of two helmet designs per race weekend and the prime helmet can not be used for more than 50% of the race while the option for not more than 30%.

[Radion]

The drivers should be allowed to change helmets as often as they like. 

Actually, in hamilton's case it's quite a good idea as one can see his state of mind just at looking at his helmet..

[Gilles4Ever]

Helmets haven't had distinctive designs for years so what difference does it really make? 

[bourbon]

Hamilton and Rosberg had confusing helmets this season, except when Lewis picked something different.  Apart from that, there was no confusion.  As for something distinctive to identify the drivers - that would be boringly fine.  I don't think those who change them, including Sebastian, would care much if they had to pick just one design.  They would just focus their creativity elsewhere.  It is the fans that would suffer.

 

I do not think that Austria was an 'ad' - it was an hommage.  Many of us didn't even realize that it was Austria until the broadcasters mentioned it and it would be contrary to his 50 odd other helmets.  Same with Kimi's James Hunt which the broadcasters tried to tie to a commercial event (Rush), but Kimi denied it. I truly doubt Lewis was advertising MJ's WOF anniversary - these guys were just paying hommage also.  So I would disagree with the idea that these were done for commercial reasons. 

 

We've seen charitable helmets, tributes, and specialty helmets (i.e. for Monaco) and night helmets  - these are interesting and fun.  But if the whiners among us get there way, that'll be just one less fun thing for the GP weekend for fans.

[MikeV1987]

I have no problem with it, limiting helmet designs is just nitpicking imo. 

[PaulTodd]

I cant stand drivers changing the lid at every race. One of the most Iconic images in F1 is the Yellow helmet of Ayrton.  just think If Senna had changed his helmet every race you would never have that. Pick any of Vettel's helmets and show it to a casual watcher and they would not have a clue.

[FenderJaguar]

it should be a signature and not change all the time, change for a special occasion - ok, small change on the top - no problem but I like it when a driver has the same kind of helmet for a long time

[katmen]

the problem with Vettel is that he retires design after win, so it is problem of opposition that it is so unsuccessful regarding wins, so more other winners less vettel changes of helmet

leave helmets for drivers free decision and  it is only part of gear that could be personalized to theirs liking (except obvious sponsors decals) 

 

I would prefer bigger better readable numbers on monoposts even with lightning as is it  at le mans at night/ twillight  races

[Rob]

It's time to stop making rules for every tiny little thing. F1 is way too restrictive as it is.

[bourbon]

I cant stand drivers changing the lid at every race. One of the most Iconic images in F1 is the Yellow helmet of Ayrton.  just think If Senna had changed his helmet every race you would never have that. Pick any of Vettel's helmets and show it to a casual watcher and they would not have a clue.

 

Prost didn't change his every race and we don't have that with respect to his.  I don't think that is the reason Ayrton's is iconic.  Some helmets simply are more fascinating to fans for whatever reason.  Prost's wasn't, Rosberg's isn't, Button's is, Raikkonen's is.  

 

Maybe it should be up to the driver if he wants to try and have an iconic helmet.

[FBJim]

It's not as if Vettel will actually pick an interesting helmet if they stop helmet design changes- it'll probably just be like Christian Klein's old helmet, just a big Red Bull advertisement. 

[ElDictatore]

Personally I like some recognizable ones (favorite one would be Mika's helmet). However the sponsor logos are so prominent that it's difficult to not have something cluttered, so yeah. Let the drivers do whatever they want.

[Bocmax]

I would agree with something stipulating that the drivers helmets need to be clearly distinguishable (between team mates). I was at first race in Melb this year and took a long time to even realise Hamilton was on track, thought Rosberg was just doing a lot of laps! Spent a lot of time squinting at the TV through the season to decipher Verne/Riccardo too.

 

Another thing people don't discuss is the cost. Anyone like to guess how much Vettel's helmets cost over a season? In times when most teams can't function without cashed up drivers it sends a strange message that RB probably spend a lowly drivers salary worth of cash on painting 20 or 30 ridiculous helmets a season.

 

Despite what people here say I do think it's a small part of what's hurting the sport - nothing iconic or memorable about a drivers personality in the car anymore. The references to the 'old days' are good. When Senna's yellow helmet (clearly Senna, not Prost with his white and blue) or Mansell's Union Jack (not Piquet, because his was a bright red tear drop) came around the corner it was adrenaline pumping stuff just seeing the helmet! I think fans connected with that helmet like footbal fans connect with the colour of their teams strip.

 

So, mandate drivers helmets be distinguishable between team mates (colour scheme?), allow ONE 'special' helmet per season.

Make drivers stop all the crap and give the fans an identifiable hero.

Something needs to be done on how the public perceives F1 and this could be a small starter - get back to basics as well as cut some frivalous spending.

[InSearchOfThe]

Just have bigger numbers with more visibility.

Front, back, both sides , and on board shots. Problem solved.

 

Drivers should be able to wear any design they like. Leave the thought police out of racing.

[HammyHamiltonFan]

restrict drivers to one design for the season, with the ability to apply for special dispensation to change it for one off races (significant races in their career kind of thing), right now it's stupid that they can change all the time, it just confuses things.

[Eff One 2002]

I personally don't like drivers changing their helmets all the time, but they should be free to do so if they wish.  The sport is over-regulated as it is without restricting helmet design as well.

I agree with this. I liked it when a driver had their design and colours and it was their signature if you will. Now they are changing them frequently with Vettel being by far the worst offender in regards to this but it should be up to them.

[Wander]

I don't even care cause everyone has a shitty design anyway these days.

[joshb]

People saying a helmet is a driver's signature... well Vettel's multiple helmets are his signature

Get over it!

[OO7]

People saying a helmet is a driver's signature... well Vettel's multiple helmets are his signature

Get over it!

I agree with this.  I don't think there should be any regulation over drivers changing their helmet designs, but I wouldn't want to see other drivers adopting Sebs philosophy, I like the fact that him changing after a win etc is unique to him.

[Eff One 2002]

People saying a helmet is a driver's signature... well Vettel's multiple helmets are his signature

Get over it!

There's nothing for anyone to "get over". People have merely been asked their opinions on an issue and have duly given them. You're clearly just being over-protective of your boy.

[FBJim]

People saying a helmet is a driver's signature... well Vettel's multiple helmets are his signature

Get over it!

It's a giant goddamed Red Bull logo. I'm pretty sure that, by definition, it isn't his signature.

[RosannaG]

In terms of helmet design, I think drivers should have freedom to do what they want.

 

And as other forumer has stated, I would also appreciate bigger numbers on the cars.

[Jackmancer]

Bernie's point of keeping the same helmet per drivers to make it easier to see which driver it is, is kinda done undone by the Mercedes drivers. Very hard to spot the difference in shade ;p Magnussen-Button's helmets might be much alike as well.

[Uwe]

Drivers shouldn't be allowed to switch their helmet design midseason. And they should be forced to being shaved properly and their fingernails should be controlled on cleanliness when they climb into their cars on Sunday.

 

(This posting may contain traces of irony.)

[Jackmancer]

Drivers shouldn't be allowed to switch their helmet design midseason. And they should be forced to being shaved properly and their fingernails should be controlled on cleanliness when they climb into their cars on Sunday.

 

(This posting may contain traces of irony.)

 

They should be checked on washing their underwear as well.

 

Source: http://jalopnik.com/...ecial-underwear

[fisssssi]

The solution, obviously, is to stop Vettel winning races next year. Then he won't keep changing his helmet!

[chunder27]

Does anyonme really care? Vettel's changing every race is rather sad and a little OTT, I guess they are usually just vinyl covers, but it's a bit pointless and they all looke the same really

 

Helmets these days are usually about incorporating team colours and sponsors anyway.

 

Simples designs like Fisichella, Hakkinen, Coulthard and the like still hold true, but are usually overruled by PR if they can be

[PLAYLIFE]

As Brundle says, a helmet is like a driver's signature.  They should stick to one so that we can identify them with their 'signature'.

 

I also believe the simpler the better.  Francois Cevert's helmet for instance, a few colours, a few lines, and when you see the combination, you think only of Cevert.

[JHSingo]

Vettel's identity or "signature" is that he doesn't stick to one design. It's not much different to a driver who keeps a design for their entire career. Personal choice, so I have no problem with it. I like seeing the new designs he has.

 

There is not much chance for individuality in most sports these days that I like guys that go against the norm.

[PaulTodd]

As Brundle says, a helmet is like a driver's signature.  They should stick to one so that we can identify them with their 'signature'.

 

I also believe the simpler the better.  Francois Cevert's helmet for instance, a few colours, a few lines, and when you see the combination, you think only of Cevert.

This is so true.

[chunder27]

I would not say Bettel goes against the norm

 

All he does is have some scrappy design stuck on a lid, he surely cant have a new lid every race as that is rather wasteful, unless he gives every one to charity.

 

Going against the norm would be having a lid like Ronnie's, Amon's or Stewarts. Simple, clear and obvious.

[RedBullFan]

I don't even care cause everyone has a shitty design anyway these days.

This

[JHSingo]

Going against the norm would be having a lid like Ronnie's, Amon's or Stewarts. Simple, clear and obvious.

 

Those days are long gone. Move with the times.

[Sin]

I love Seb changing his helmets... my favorite one was Singapur 2012

[seahawk]

One driver one Helmet design should be the rule. Maybe allow 2 special desgins per season.

[Brother Fox]

I think changing design every weekend is stupid, but I support your right to be stupid

[Gorma]

As the sport isn't clinical enough it would seem logical to limit the amount of helmet designs and as it would basically only affect Vettel it would suit the custom of bash anything Vettel does or is associated with such as his motorcycle, driving or his demeanor in general

[seahawk]

Imho it is about the legacy of the sport. If you look back at old F1 photos you see the iconic helmets of Hill, Senna or even Schumacher in the Ferrari 1996. If you revisit the 2013 season 2033 you will see a Red Bull car winning, but it will always look like a different driver at the wheel.

[tifosiMac]

I prefer a driver to have his distinctive design and stick with it. I don't mind it when a driver has the odd race like his home GP or a special design as a one off here and there, but I do like a driver to use their helmet design as their identity when in the car. I think it looks better when you view back in history too as they are instantly recognisable.

 

Vettel is the only driver (in F1) who appears to have a different design every race and I personally think it looks naff. Obviously it's up to him, but I wish he'd just find an identity and stick with it. A new special design here and there wouldn't hurt and it makes things interesting. Vettel's constant design changes for me have had the opposite effect and I am no longer interested in seeing which design he is using this week to the next. The novelty has worn off. Just my views on it.

[SenorSjon]

I think there should be a choice of two helmet designs per race weekend and the prime helmet can not be used for more than 50% of the race while the option for not more than 30%.

And of course start with the helmet you qualified with.

 

But not another rule, there are enough already. It is a shame almost no design is easy to recognize anymore with all the sponsor and gloss clutter. The headrests aren't helping as well. Same goes for the cars. Overdesigned liveries, visible from a few meters, but very poor on TV at larger distances.

But Schumacher (changed his due to Barrichello and people mistook him when lapping other cars), DC, Hill, Hakinnen, Alesi, Berger, Senna, Mansell had easy to distinguish designs with little change and little clutter.

[Gorma]

Since Vettel is the only one changing his helmet then what is the big deal? It's not like people are not going to recognise him... he is the one in the lead. If others are sticking with their helmets what is the big deal? This is turning out to be another Vettel bashing thread. If it were Alonso and Lewis who kept changing their helmet and Vettel kept his design I think we'd have totally different thread. "It's great that they keep changing their helmet designs. It shows that they have a personality rather than keeping a same old boring design all the time unlike that german."

[Maustinsj]

Imho it is about the legacy of the sport. If you look back at old F1 photos you see the iconic helmets of Hill, Senna or even Schumacher in the Ferrari 1996. If you revisit the 2013 season 2033 you will see a Red Bull car winning, but it will always look like a different driver at the wheel.

 

This is probably correct.

[ZionLH]

Imho it is about the legacy of the sport. If you look back at old F1 photos you see the iconic helmets of Hill, Senna or even Schumacher in the Ferrari 1996. If you revisit the 2013 season 2033 you will see a Red Bull car winning, but it will always look like a different driver at the wheel.

Pretty much this .