Sebastian Vettel free to design his helmets
The German driver did not receive any pressure from his team to remove his controversial helmet design in Canada.
Sebastian Vettel is known for frequently changing the design of his helmets. Since joining Formula 1, the German driver has used several dozen different helmets, some of them featuring special messages. We remember the messages in support of LGBTQ+ rights, and more recently, in Canada, he wore a helmet denouncing a climate crime. He also wore a t-shirt with the same message written on it: “Stop the exploitation of oil sands. Canada’s climate crime.”
After wearing it during the first two days of the weekend, the four-time world champion traded it for his white, more traditional design. Several rumors had indicated that the Aston Martin driver had faced pressures, notably from his sponsor Aramco, which would have led him to change his helmet.
Information that the German team insisted on denying to our colleagues at Motorsport.com. « He wanted to raise awareness with the t-shirt and helmet. Then at some point, he decided that now, the awareness had taken place, let’s say, and that it was enough, so he took it off. He can’t wear the same t-shirt every day. Neither can you! », assures Mike Krack, the team director. The British driver also states that his driver is « free ».
He also mentioned that prior to the races, meetings take place between both parties so that the driver can explain and demonstrate to his team the actions he wishes to take, and thus discuss how to do it.
