Vergne wears a helmet in the colors of Jean Alesi

On the occasion of the Monaco Grand Prix, most drivers exceptionally change the colors of their helmets. Thus, as in 2011, Fernando Alonso traded his helmet in the colors of Asturias for a predominantly gold version with a theme – classic in Monaco – of the casino. At Lotus, Romain Grosjean also incorporated gold into the colors of his helmet for his first Monaco Grand Prix, which also happens to be the 500th Grand Prix for the British team in Formula One.

For his part, Jean-Eric Vergne wanted to pay tribute to Jean Alesi by unveiling a helmet that features the traditional colors of the Avignon native—a red and black stripe—which already paid homage to Elio di Angelis, the Italian driver who was killed during private testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in 1986. The two French drivers have long been associated with the FFSA team, of which the former Ferrari driver is the captain.

The helmet of the native of Pontoise, who has not abandoned the distinctive yellow circle and red bull of Red Bull drivers, also bears the mention « Forza Jean Indy 500 2012 ». Indeed, as often, the Monaco race, a true jewel on the Formula One World Championship calendar since 1950, coincides with the legendary Indianapolis 500 Miles race, in which Jean Alesi will participate for the first time. Engaged with the Fan Force United team and powered by the modest Lotus engine – of which he is an ambassador – the Avignon native, at 47 years old, will start in 33rd and last position on the famous Brickyard on Sunday.

The Frenchman will reunite with his compatriot, Sebastien Bourdais, as well as Brazilian Rubens Barrichello who, during the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix, swapped his helmet with that of his friend Tony Kanaan, who was then competing in the Indianapolis 500.