Leclerc cleared by Villeneuve family to use tribute helmet

Charles Leclerc was given the all clear by the Villeneuve family in Montreal to use the special helmet dedicated to the memory of Gilles Villeneuve.

Leclerc unveiled on Friday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve his Canadian Grand Prix inspired by the F1 legend's original helmet.

However, the Monegasque was unaware that the lid's design is protected by a copyright controlled by the family, which required Leclerc to seek permission from the latter to replicate the unmistakable scheme on his lid.

Leclerc was unaware of the obligation but was informed of the trademark by Jacques Villeneuve who was present in the paddock on Friday. The Canadian admitted that his family had been surprised not to have been informed in advance of the Ferrari driver's tribute gesture.

• Read also: Leclerc pays tribute to Canada's favourite racing son

"It was just a big surprise to see the helmet yesterday because nobody had called the family," the former F1 driver told Motorsport.com. "It's mainly my mother and my sister involved in that. So that was just a big shock.

"And when Lewis [Hamilton] wore Ayrton Senna's helmet the family was involved, obviously, because it's not just something you do like this.

"But then I chat with Charles and he said, 'Oh, sorry, I didn't think about it.' And then I think he talked with my sister and everything seems to be clean there.

"So it was just the way of doing things, you just check with the people involved first. That's all. So it's not a huge issue. But it was done without any of us knowing, which was a big surprise.

"People don't realise you have to think about the trademark," he added. "If you take a brand and you just link to anything you'll have their lawyers on your back.

"This is a bit different, obviously. But now you have a picture with my dad's helmet with sponsors that are linked to that helmet now, which shouldn't be there. So that's a little bit of the grey area.

"That's why you should always check first and discuss it and do it the right way. And I think it's all been made clear."

Joan Villeneuve and her daughter Melanie didn't hold the oversight against Leclerc and willfully posed with the Ferrari charger for a suite of pictures.

"Charles was very sweet about it," Melanie said. "We have no objections. It’s a nice tribute."

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