2012 Monaco Grand Prix: Tribute Helmets Galore!

The F1 bandwagon is in Monaco and many drivers are opting for special crash helmets for this special race. While a few of them are paying tribute to the F1 legends via new helmets designs, and others to mark a special occasion.

Fernando Alonso

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso has always been a fan of special helmets. Last year at Monaco, he used a golden helmet. This year too he will be swapping his standard blue-green helmet with a gold themed one that has a Latin inscription on it which can be translated as “With this sign thou shalt defend the pious, with this sign thou shalt defeat the enemy.”

The helmet also has the cross of angels, similar to the one that can be found on the flag of the principality of Asturias, which is the hometown of the Spanish driver. It also flaunts Alonso’s achievements here at Monaco where he won twice in 2006 and 2007.

Fernando Alonso's helmet for Monaco GP 2012.

Kimi Raikkonen

The iceman has gone for a special helmet design in honor of the 1976 F1 World Champion ,James Hunt. Kimi has used the same black helmet design as that of the legendary British driver, who has 10 wins and 14 pole positions to his credit in his seven year long F1 career from 1973 to 1979. After his retirement in 1979, Hunt became a F1 commentator for BBC – a job which he continued till his untimely death in 1993. He was just 45 when he died.

Kimi Raikkonen had paid tribute to Hunt even in the past. Before his Ferrari debut in 2007, Kimi Raikkonen entered a snowmobile race using James Hunt as a pseudonym.

Kimi Raikkonen's James Hunt tribute helmet.

Sebastian Vettel

Vettel has always been fond of new helmet designs. He had used more than 10 special designs in his championship winning campaign, last season. This year hasn’t been a cakewalk for him. However, his helmets still continue to be in the news. The new design for Monaco has sequins embedded in it, to give a glittery touch.

Sebastian Vettel's helmet has sequins in it.

Romain Grosjean

Renault’s French driver Romain Grosjean will use a gold-red themed helmet for his home race, which marks the 500th race for ‘Team Enstone’ now rechristened as Lotus.

Romain Grosjean's special helmet for Monaco.

Jean-Eric Vergne

Toro Rosso’s French rookie Vergne will pay tribute to his compatriot – former F1 champion Jean Alesi - at Monaco with a special helmet design. Alesi, who has one win and two pole positions to his name, used a similar design during his 13 year stint in F1.

Charles Pic

Yet another Frenchman – Charles Pic (Marussia), will sport a special helmet on his home race. Pic pays tribute to all past winners of the Monaco GP which will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this weekend. Pic’s helmet highlights legendary Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna’s six victories at Monaco – the most by any driver at this venue.

Charles Pic's special helmet honors past winners at Monte Carlo.

Heikki Kovalainen

But none of these beat the uniqueness of Caterham’s Heikki Kovalainen whose Angry Birds helmet has caught everyone’s attention. He has a special sponsorship deal with Rovio and has been using this helmet throughout this season. As a part of this deal, a new angry birds game titled ‘Angry Birds Heikki’ will be releasing on June 18, 2012. It is rumored that the central theme of this game will be about rescuing Heikki’s helmet from the snarky pigs!!! Take a look at Heikki’s helmet and comment on this awesome design.