George Russell will use a special helmet design paying tribute to former Williams driver Juan Pabo Montoya in this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.
Several drivers are using special designs for this weekend’s one thousandth round of the world championship. Russell’s new helmet features his regular style on the left-hand-side and Montoya’s colours on the right.Russell explained he previously used Montoya’s helmet design when he began racing. “When I first started karting I copied the helmet of my brother when he was karting before. And it was inspired, his helmet design, from Montoya. So I decided it would be pretty cool.
“It was Montoya from when he was at Williams as well. I only found out about eight years ago that the helmet design I used when I started karting was inspired from Montoya when he was at Williams.
“As Montoya’s a bit of a Williams legend, he’s one of my favourite F1 drivers of all time – just his sort of character, the way he approached the racing, everything, he was a driver who you would enjoy watching. So I thought it would be something nice to go half-half this weekend.”
“I’ve met him once,” Russell added, “that was last year. Hopefully he likes it.”
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ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
11th April 2019, 9:26
Very refreshing. Now we need rookie that a fan of Fisichella.
Qeki
11th April 2019, 11:12
+uno
Kyle (@hammerheadgb)
11th April 2019, 9:44
Juan Juanders what Juan would make of Juan’s helmet colours returning to Formula Juan for a Juan-off appearance, Juan marking the Juan-thousandth Formula Juan race.
Johnny Five
11th April 2019, 13:15
Juan-derful!
Matt (@hollidog)
11th April 2019, 14:40
…Right, ehh, this either stops or I walk off
Wes (@flashofsilver)
11th April 2019, 16:37
Go ahead then. See if any Juan cares!
MCBosch
11th April 2019, 19:47
@Matt your comment just made my day, tnx!
Montréalais (@)
11th April 2019, 17:43
I love it! More!
Balue (@balue)
11th April 2019, 9:45
How embarrassing
stefano (@alfa145)
11th April 2019, 12:50
why?
Balue (@balue)
11th April 2019, 18:22
Gushing about a driver wearing their colors, numbers etc is fanboy territory and simply embarrassing to see an up and coming F1 driver do. A reputation damaging faux pas.
GeeMac (@geemac)
11th April 2019, 10:09
An interesting choice. I like Montoya’s lid and he is a special part of Williams heritage no doubt (as its last but 1 race winner), but there are quite a few other Williams legends who’s helmet design he could have copied.
Dutchguy (@justarandomdutchguy)
11th April 2019, 12:45
It seems to me like he simply went for Montoya because he personally is a fan of Montoya
that might be why….
Gabriel (@naylamp)
11th April 2019, 12:32
Montoya was a true racer. The first one to put a fight against Michael during the Ferrari domination years. That pass on Interlagos was pure bravery. Too bad he lacked discipline. He could’ve been a legend.
Lapov Onor
11th April 2019, 12:46
So much of a favourite he didn’t recognise his helmet colours.
GeeMac (@geemac)
11th April 2019, 13:09
What’s the issue?
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/photos/helmet-of-juan-pablo-montoya-team-penske-16643787/37319124/
Cronies
11th April 2019, 12:55
I remember Kimi running Hunts helmet colors for a practice at Monaco – any other drivers raced in a previous F1’s drivers colors?
Did DC not once a MS helmet – but that was not a tribute.
GeeMac (@geemac)
11th April 2019, 13:13
Lots I can think of.
Alesi’s helmet design is a tribute to Elio de Angelis.
Jean Eric Vergne wore special helmets in Monaco in Alesi and Francois Cevert’s colours.
Last yet in Monaco Bottas had a helmet in Hakkinen’s colours.
After Colin McRae died David Coulthard ran a special helmet which used a variation on McRae’s design.
Rubens Barrichello ran Ingo Hoffman and Tony Kanaan’s helmet designs at Interlagos.
Charles Leclerc used his father’s helmet colours last year in Monaco.
And yes, DC raced using one of Michael Schumacher’s spare helmets in Monaco in 1996 because his were all misting up. Both team’s wear sponsored by Marlboro so it worked commercially.
Duncan Snowden
11th April 2019, 16:19
Didn’t someone – other than Damon, obviously, although he’s worth mentioning in this thread – use Graham Hill’s design more recently as a one-off?
Didn’t know that about Alesi’s design. I always liked it. And Jean as a driver, too. He was always, as Russell says of Montoya, entertaining to watch, even if he wasn’t racing anyone. In fact, if I were a driver and had to use a “tribute” helmet, he’d definitely be on my shortlist.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
11th April 2019, 13:17
The older I get the more I like Montoya from those years. I used to dislike him, but compared to the guys around the grid, he was truly unique. Not to mention he was one hell of a driver.
So I’m happy to see his colours in the 2019 grid again. Good for George!