Hamilton hits out at "BS" F1 helmet design rules

Five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has called the FIA’s restrictions on driver helmet design changes “BS”.

According to Article 9.1 of the regulations, drivers are only allowed one significant change of helmet design per year following restrictions brought into place in 2014 to help fans better identify drivers.

The subject became a hot topic over the Russian Grand Prix weekend after Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat was prevented from using a special helmet livery design for his home race, a rule he described as “a joke”.

And Hamilton, who wore a tribute Niki Lauda helmet at Monaco and a tweaked design at his home race at Silverstone, appears to agree with his colleague as he conducted a poll on Instagram asking fans for their opinion shortly after topping opening practice for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

“How many of you think it’s BS that the FIA only allow the drivers one helmet design change in the year,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram.

“It’s the only thing a driver is able to express their creativity with and they block it. Who thinks we should be free to express ourselves and have more changes?

“Would love to know your thoughts,” he concluded. 

Hamilton can clinch his sixth drivers’ world championship title this weekend in Mexico City if he outscores Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas by 14 points or more.

Such a feat would mark his third successive title triumph at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez venue and move him clear as the second-most successful driver of all time, behind only Michael Schumacher.