Formula 1 visits many different places throughout the year to circle the planet as cars from the highest category of motorsport compete against each other to emerge champions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has left some unique venues off the calendar, and one of them was Japan, which was without the Grand Circus for three years until its return in 2022.
Being a special occasion, some riders on the grid decided to pay tribute to the ever-dedicated Japanese fans and, as was evident, the local hero, Yuki Tsunoda, presented a very curious helmet design, as well as extravagant and traditional.
The Japanese rider decided to create a helmet with Japanese motifs, keeping the AlphaTauri team logos on the back and sides. In the highest area, he included a drawing of traditional fish in blue colors, combined with white, and details of sea waves or rivers in the lower part.
Tsunoda was one of the sensations of the Japanese Grand Prix being the local, although he was not the only one to design a special helmet. Valtteri Bottas, one day before getting into the Alfa Romeo in Suzuka, revealed a very striking helmet, with neon tones and drawings that are reminiscent of Japanese society, such as fish, typical dishes or a clear reference to Mount Fuji.
The son of the most successful driver in the history of the Japanese track, Mick Schumacher, also wanted to debut a new special design, and has noticed one of the most beautiful traditions in the whole country, the cherry trees in blossom.
The one from Haas presented a helmet in very light tones, keeping the usual logos of the American team, in addition to its personal sponsors, but quite clean of things that bothered the trees to flourish. Agnieszka Wienand was the artist who created the design for the German, although it is not the first time that he has made Formula 1 helmets, since he also painted for Sebastian Vettel in his time at Ferrari or for Lando Norris at McLaren.
Precisely, the four-time world champion wanted to pay tribute to his Japanese followers and to the helmet company of the same country, Arai . As its designer, Jens Munser Designs , indicated via Twitter, the helmet was a “Thank You” to the company, because Vettel had always used that brand since he started in karts in 1995 at the age of eight, and you can see that the design emulates a custom Japanese company box with typical German details.
Similar to Mick Schumacher, Alexander Albon will wear a special helmet with the same motif. And it is that on a light pink base, you can see the typical cherry blossom that is related to the Japanese country.
Sergio Pérez also created a special new livery for his engine supplier Honda’s home race, even though they compete under the Red Bull Powertrains banner. The Mexican wore white tones that evoke the Japanese flag on the return of Formula 1 to Suzuka after three seasons.
In Mercedes they did not want to be less and both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell premiered a helmet with a special design during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
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