Drivers’ helmets are wonderful objects. As well as providing protection in case of a crash, they also offer drivers the perfect chance to stamp their personality on the car.
Designs rarely change, but colours are tweaked from time to time and sometimes the livery is modified to fit a certain sponsor. When he started in Formula 1 back in 1991, Michael Schumacher’s helmet sported the colours of the German flag. For 2010, Schumacher’s helmet is basically red with a few, thin silver stripes.
All the Formula 1 drivers have custom-made helmets using 3D head-scan technology to ensure the inner padding is sculpted to the exact shape of their heads for ultimate comfort.
In terms of protection, F1-spec helmets have to withstand strict impact tests set by the FIA. That’s why most helmet manufacturers uses carbon fibre in its helmets with all their designs tested to destruction in the lab.
Visors are made of Lexan and also have to undergo a front impact test. After that it’s into the flames to endure temperatures of up to 800° C.
Exotic materials like carbon fibre and Kevlar also help save weight. The helmets used in F1 weigh in at around 1400g. Such lightweight helmets don’t come cheap though, and we’re talking 3,000 Euros if you want to buy one off the shelf.
Drivers go through between 8 and 12 helmets per season, depending on the total test mileage they cover.
photo:WRI2
Designs rarely change, but colours are tweaked from time to time and sometimes the livery is modified to fit a certain sponsor. When he started in Formula 1 back in 1991, Michael Schumacher’s helmet sported the colours of the German flag. For 2010, Schumacher’s helmet is basically red with a few, thin silver stripes.
All the Formula 1 drivers have custom-made helmets using 3D head-scan technology to ensure the inner padding is sculpted to the exact shape of their heads for ultimate comfort.
In terms of protection, F1-spec helmets have to withstand strict impact tests set by the FIA. That’s why most helmet manufacturers uses carbon fibre in its helmets with all their designs tested to destruction in the lab.
Visors are made of Lexan and also have to undergo a front impact test. After that it’s into the flames to endure temperatures of up to 800° C.
Exotic materials like carbon fibre and Kevlar also help save weight. The helmets used in F1 weigh in at around 1400g. Such lightweight helmets don’t come cheap though, and we’re talking 3,000 Euros if you want to buy one off the shelf.
Drivers go through between 8 and 12 helmets per season, depending on the total test mileage they cover.
 | ||
| Jenson Button - McLaren |
 |
| Michael Schumacher - Mercedes |
 |
| Nico Rosberg - Mercedes |
 |
| Fernando Alonso - ferrari |
 |
| Felipe Massa - Ferrari |
 |
| Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus |
 |
| Jarno Trulli - Lotus |
 |
| Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull Racing |
 |
| Mark Webber - Red Bull Racing |
 |
| Robert Kubica - Renault |
 |
| Vitaly Petrov - Renault |
 |
| Pedro de la Rosa - BMW-Sauber |
 |
| Kamui Kobayashi - BMW-Sauber |
 |
| Jaime Alguersuari - Toro Rosso |
 |
| Sébastien Buemi - Toro Rosso |
 |
| Lucas di Grassi - Virgin |
 |
| Timo Glock - Virgin |
 |
| Rubens Barrichello - Williams |
 |
| Nico Hulkenberg - Williams |
 |
| Tonio Liuzzi - Force India |
 |
| Adrian Sutil - Force India |
 |
| Karun Chandhok - Hispania |
 |
| Bruno Senna - Hispania |
photo:WRI2
Article Gallery