F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Ricciardio gives the skinny behind new helmet design

The days when drivers retained a signature helmet design for the duration of their career in F1 are long gone, with most of today's sparkling lids receiving a makeover at the start of each new season.

In 2015, the FIA clamped down on in-season design changes, although minor tweaks and one full remodeling were authorized.

But from this season - which hopefully will get underway at some point in the coming months - the governing has once again allowed drivers the freedom to change and revamp their lids at will.

As one of F1's more creative characters and a man in search of a bit of originality, Daniel Ricciardo introduced a colorful and street art-like motif. The Aussie gave the skinny on his 2020 lid.

"In recent years I’ve had more freedom with the overall design of the helmet, and when I looked at my cabinet where all of my helmets are lined up, I noticed all of the older ones generally looked the same," Ricciardo explained.

"So going forward, I want every helmet to be a piece of art and each year it will represent something different."

Like his 2019 helmet, the Renault charger entrusted his 2020 design to Los Angeles artist Nicolai Sclater from Ornamental Conifer.

"I’ve worked with Nico from Ornamental Conifer again, and I feel it’s something different again this year," Ricciardo added.

"The base of the helmet is a sort of leopard print style, not necessarily obvious in its colours but with the use of pastel greys and charcoal.

"We have more layers applied to the helmet again and this helps to give parts of it more pop.

"This year my title for the helmet is ‘become unstuck’. It’s a similar trend to last year’s messaging, where it’s all about not getting caught up in the same old stuff and how it’s important to pull yourself away and do something on your own."

And what is the Honey Badger's favourite part of his new design?

"I love the entire helmet and it’s tough to single out one aspect," he said.

"I do really like what Nico has done though on the top of the helmet this year, and we noticed a lot of camera on-boards last year caught a lot of the pink on the helmet.

"So, this year Nico has created a logo that is visible for the on-board camera shots which says, ‘smile you’re on camera’, it’s quite witty and funny."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Verstappen puts Bathurst 1000 Supercar event on bucket list

Max Verstappen’s racing curiosity has never been confined to Formula 1 – and now, one…

38 mins ago

Vowles warns 2026 weight limit will catch F1 teams out

When F1’s radically redesigned 2026 cars finally roll out in Barcelona at the end of…

15 hours ago

Why Verstappen isn’t expecting much running at F1’s first test

Max Verstappen has never been one to sugar-coat reality – and as Formula 1 braces…

17 hours ago

Revolut’s CMO slams Ferrari: ‘How can you put blue on a red car?’

Ferrari have survived decades of criticism about strategy calls, driver politics and pit stops that…

18 hours ago

Mercedes 2026 advantage in doubt after concerning claim

While the paddock has been whispering for months that Mercedes might be holding the winning…

19 hours ago

Our salute on this day to Big Dan

Dan Gurney passed away on this day in 2018, and here at F1i we'll never…

21 hours ago