No reinforced visor for Schumacher and Hamilton
The addition of Zylon to Formula 1 helmets provides better safety for drivers, but some have decided not to adopt these new helmets, notably Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
Following Felipe Massa’s accident in 2009 in Hungary, helmet manufacturers decided to modify the visor structure by incorporating a section of Zylon above, which is a very resistant material – you can see this strip of Zylon in the adjacent image in gray above the white band incorporating Certina.
On the occasion of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, the FIA sent a letter to the drivers to encourage them to switch to this new type of visor that offers better safety. But according to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, this letter was merely a recommendation and in no way an obligation. Drivers can therefore decide not to wear helmets with this Zylon strip, which weighs only 50 grams.
(Michael) Schumacher and (Lewis) Hamilton don’t use it because it allows them to save 50 grams. Maybe with the G-forces it adds a bit more (than 50 grams), Peter Burger, one of the heads of helmet manufacturer Arai, told the Finnish publication.
Burger also revealed that he had to convince certain drivers – notably Sebastian Vettel – of the merits of adopting this new technology even though it isn’t mandatory.
When I discussed it with Sebastian Vettel, I had to explain to him precisely why to use something that is not mandatory. I told him that as long as it didn’t bother him and there was no technical argument to say that it’s not a good thing, the precautionary principle should be used. That was enough, and now Sebastian uses this system, added Burger.
