Sergey Sirotkin gets a new lid for home race

When you're a local hero racing in front of your home crowd for the first time in your career, it's only fitting to pull out a new helmet for the occasion.

So Williams' Sergey Sirotkin did just that on Thursday in Sochi, revealing his appealing new lid, all splashed with Russia's colors.

One can only hope that the new gear will bring him a bit of luck on Sunday, because he'll need it to extricate himself from the doldrums given Williams' current depressed form.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.