Formulation 1 championship chief Kimi Antonelli has revealed a placing new helmet design for his dwelling race on the Italian Grand Prix, paying homage to MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi.
The 20-year-old will take to the Monza circuit carrying a design incorporating the Italian flag and impressed by the long-lasting helmet Rossi wore to victory at Mugello in 2002. The design was created by Aldo Drudi of Drudi Efficiency, who was behind the overwhelming majority of Rossi’s well-known race helmets.
Revealing the design on social media, Antonelli confirmed the venture had Rossi’s blessing.
“At dwelling we race with particular colors,” the Mercedes driver wrote. “It was a particular want of mine to have the ability to race with a helmet impressed by Vale’s.
“Once they provided me the 2002 Mugello helmet, I instantly knew it was the appropriate one. Drudi Efficiency did a incredible job readapting it on this model for this yr’s dwelling race.
“Due to Valentino Rossi for this particular alternative. It is an honour. I hope you prefer it and that we will see it on the observe! See you tomorrow.”
Antonelli heads into his dwelling race weekend with a 59-point lead within the drivers’ standings, however he additionally has a grid penalty, giving his rivals an opportunity to shut the hole within the championship.
“It feels very particular,” Antonelli mentioned of his dwelling race throughout Thursday’s press convention. “Undoubtedly lots totally different in comparison with final yr. And I am very a lot wanting ahead to this weekend regardless of ranging from the again.
“Nevertheless it’s additionally an enormous alternative forward, and really a lot wanting ahead to it. I believe it is going to be very pleasant. I can take pleasure in it far more than what I did beforehand. And, yeah, hopefully we will nonetheless do an amazing race.”
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