In season helmet design changes to be banned....
Discussion
story here:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117721
Not sure where I sit on this, as I think the helmet design is the image of the driver, think Senna's yellow helmet, hamiltons tribute to it, some of the iconic ones throughout the years.
Although on the otherhand, I liked vettel's originality and the ever changing design's and in a way that was his image.
Seems with all the other issues in F1 this is a bit like rearranging the deckchairs on the titanic!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117721
Not sure where I sit on this, as I think the helmet design is the image of the driver, think Senna's yellow helmet, hamiltons tribute to it, some of the iconic ones throughout the years.
Although on the otherhand, I liked vettel's originality and the ever changing design's and in a way that was his image.
Seems with all the other issues in F1 this is a bit like rearranging the deckchairs on the titanic!
In many ways it seems unnecessary as the drivers should be allowed to do what they want but I don't understand why they change so much. A one off change for a specific reason seems OK to me, maybe to commemorate a particular event relevant to them but overall the helmet should be easily identifiable to the individual driver in my view and recently that has not been the case.
I'm surprised drivers did this in the first place. Their image is everything from a marketing perspective, and I don't understand why they wouldn't have a helmet design and stick to it as part of that portfolio of assets.
I think it's the right move by the organisers, although I'd personally have allowed a single one-off change per driver per season so for a single race they can do something different as it gives another narrative for the media to pick up on.
I think it's the right move by the organisers, although I'd personally have allowed a single one-off change per driver per season so for a single race they can do something different as it gives another narrative for the media to pick up on.
jamiebae said:
I'm surprised drivers did this in the first place. Their image is everything from a marketing perspective, and I don't understand why they wouldn't have a helmet design and stick to it as part of that portfolio of assets.
I think it's the right move by the organisers, although I'd personally have allowed a single one-off change per driver per season so for a single race they can do something different as it gives another narrative for the media to pick up on.
I'm sure I remember Martin Brundle commenting on this when Vettel started doing it, it was along the lines of making each helmet unique and therefore more valuable should he wish to flog them off in the future, although I'm sure Seb doesn't need to worry about being destitute in his old age.I think it's the right move by the organisers, although I'd personally have allowed a single one-off change per driver per season so for a single race they can do something different as it gives another narrative for the media to pick up on.
What about things like Jensons tribute to his deceased Father. Would something like that be banned? If so I'm against the rule, as an F1 fan I thought it was a magnificent gesture.
It made me a bigger fan of him and the sport as I could relate more to him because of it. Instead we end up with the marketing man's wet dream of consistency of product. Pathetic really, give me the human side of the sport any day.
It made me a bigger fan of him and the sport as I could relate more to him because of it. Instead we end up with the marketing man's wet dream of consistency of product. Pathetic really, give me the human side of the sport any day.
DanielSan said:
Given the state F1 is in at the moment is tbis really all that has to be stopped? FFS it's the drivers helmet, he should have whatever design he wants on it.
Couldn't agree more. Teams going to the wall, audiences declining, sponsors not being attracted and here we have the powers that be trying to make the sport less interesting, and at the same time demonstrating just what an ivory tower they live in.brierleys said:
Reminds me of a place I used to work at which was in quite a bad state of disorganisation but management spent a considerable amount of time insisting we all wore ties and suits to work.
Did they make individuals wear specific colours to identify them easily? Then the analogy might work. 
Personally I'm in favour of making the drivers stick for a season. Maybe they'd find a decent one then (I'm looking at you Vettel). Changing all the time is diluting something some how.
Was much better in the old days when drivers were easily spotted by their helmet design, some of which became iconic. I expect this new rule came of the same thinking behind allocating numbers to drivers for their F1 career.
"F1 chiefs have grown concerned that fans are turned off by drivers constantly changing their helmet colours.".. So the drop in viewers isn't anything to do with the lack of online streaming, insane rules on copyright "breaches" on YouTube, how the sport is being run, teams going bust, 1 team dominating entire seasons, engine formula, restrictive regulations, gimmicks to try and improve the racings.
It's actually down to drivers changing their helmet designs? Well who knew.
Can't say it's ever bothered me that someone changes their helmet design every weekend. And unless someone has major OCD, I don't understand how that would make people stop watching.
It's actually down to drivers changing their helmet designs? Well who knew.
Can't say it's ever bothered me that someone changes their helmet design every weekend. And unless someone has major OCD, I don't understand how that would make people stop watching.
Its always amazed me that they started this. One helmet design promotes a very strong brand image and therefore it helps a drivers marketing profile. Can't see Senna or Mansell changing their design every race. Autosport says that Vettal has had 60 different designs.
I agree though that F1 should be more concerned about far more serious matters than this. Did everyone hear that the decision on this (and all the other far more important matters at this meeting.) were settled on by FAX votes?
Just reinforces the idea that Bernie is scared of the internet.
I agree though that F1 should be more concerned about far more serious matters than this. Did everyone hear that the decision on this (and all the other far more important matters at this meeting.) were settled on by FAX votes?
Just reinforces the idea that Bernie is scared of the internet.
mw88 said:
"F1 chiefs have grown concerned that fans are turned off by drivers constantly changing their helmet colours.".. So the drop in viewers isn't anything to do with the lack of online streaming, insane rules on copyright "breaches" on YouTube, how the sport is being run, teams going bust, 1 team dominating entire seasons, engine formula, restrictive regulations, gimmicks to try and improve the racings.
It's actually down to drivers changing their helmet designs? Well who knew.
Can't say it's ever bothered me that someone changes their helmet design every weekend. And unless someone has major OCD, I don't understand how that would make people stop watching.
Well said. It's actually down to drivers changing their helmet designs? Well who knew.
Can't say it's ever bothered me that someone changes their helmet design every weekend. And unless someone has major OCD, I don't understand how that would make people stop watching.
I'd like drivers to keep the same design.But it's their choice in a free world
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff