As expected, the FIA (Fédération internationale de l'automobile) will modify the rules and limit the changes F1 drivers may bring to the appearance of their crash helmets.
The objective is to allow fans to more easily recognize drivers' identities when they are on track. Over the last few years, some drivers have been regularly changing their helmet liveries. Since 2010, Sebastian Vettel completely transformed his dozens of times. “In order for drivers to be easily distinguished (...) the crash helmet of each driver must be presented in substantially the same livery at every event during a championship season”, the modified rule reads.
By using the term “substantially”, the FIA allows for minor modifications that highlight a particular event or a change in sponsorship. Nothing prevents a complete helmet livery change form one championship to the next. For some, this tightening of the rule “made us look like we have nothing else to do than discuss driver helmets”, recognized Toto Wolff, Executive Director of the Mercedes team, on Sky Sports. But the Austrian stressed that sponsors and Grand Prix promoters asked for such stability, as it will also help them in their marketing efforts. “So either you put big numbers on the car, which we didn't like (as a solution), or you make the driver more recognizable with the helmet,” Wolff explained. A few weeks ago, Vettel said he would happily pay any fines as a donation to charity if he nonetheless decided to change his helmet design in-season. Race numbers In regards to the permanent number each driver must choose, the rule now stipulates “a driver's career in Formula 1 will be deemed to have ended if he does not participate in an event for two entire consecutive championship seasons.” That might mean that the 'retired' driver's number will again be available after two years. Drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen, if permanent numbers applied during their 'sabbaticals', would have been obligated to choose a new number if their old one had been picked up by another driver.
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