Kvyat says helmet design limit "a joke"
Daniil Kvyat has labelled the rule that's preventing him from using a special helmet design in the Russian Grand Prix as "a joke".
The Russian had a new white, red and blue helmet prepared for the Sochi Autodrom-based race, but was denied permission by the FIA to use it in Friday practice.
This was because F1's sporting regulations only allow drivers to substantially deviate from their primary helmet livery in one event during the season, and Kvyat had already run a one-off design in Italy.
Speaking to media earlier, Kvyat said he hadn't been aware of the rule and described it as "a joke".
"It it is a good helmet. Hope you saw it. I don't know... I put it there in the garage, just to show it to everyone," Kvyat said.
"It is a joke - but anyway, the rule is a rule.
"We just worked with my designer [Jens Munser], [on] something unusual. Russian flag theme, I guess. Just something a bit different, but simple at the same time, so yeah. Very happy with design.
"Maybe I will use it tomorrow. Let's see. I still don't know what could be the consequences. But to be honest, there are bigger problems [for F1] to focus [on] than a helmet design of a driver, I guess."
Toro Rosso teammate Pierre Gasly backed Kvyat's frustration over the "bullshit" rule.
When informed about Kvyat's helmet predicament, Gasly said: "Well that's bullshit. If that's the case, that's really bullshit.
"For me there are bigger things to worry about I think in this paddock than whether you change your helmets or not. Especially for [his] home race, I find it quite silly. Shame for Dany."
The Kvyat ruling could be an obstacle to Gasly's own plans to run a special helmet livery in engine supplier Honda's home race in Japan, as the Frenchman had already raced an Anthoine Hubert tribute helmet in Monza.
Toro Rosso representatives plan to meet Masi after Friday's usual drivers' briefing to discuss the matter.
Previous article
Mercedes: Rivals "too quick" after "serious" Friday gains
Next article
Ferrari won't introduce any more major updates in 2019
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Russian GP |
| Drivers | Daniil Kvyat |
| Teams | AlphaTauri |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
The Barcelona practice times that prove Red Bull has hidden pace
Lewis Hamilton led the way in Friday practice for the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix, but there was one major encouraging sign for Red Bull. However, making good on that gain will require Max Verstappen to avoid repeating a mistake that left him well down the FP2 order...
Why McLaren doesn’t doubt Ricciardo can escape his ‘dark’ place
Three points finishes from as many starts represents a decent opening innings on paper, but Daniel Ricciardo has endured a tough start to his McLaren career - only magnified his teammate's excellent form. Yet both he and the team have good reason to expect a turnaround soon.
What needs to “change” for Red Bull is ending Verstappen’s errors
OPINION: Going up against the dominant force of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton was always going to demand the best from Red Bull and Max Verstappen. But after making a couple more errors during the Portuguese Grand Prix, the Dutch driver showed there's a small gap he still needs to close in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight.
The "subtle" Red Bull upgrades that kept it in the Portugal F1 mix
Red Bull's Portuguese Grand Prix fortunes were decidedly second best to Mercedes', but the result skews the potential that the team had at Portimao. With a new set of updates, the team looks good going forward into the rest of 2021's spicy F1 competition
Portuguese Grand Prix driver ratings
The 2021 Portuguese GP will for several drivers go down as a weekend of missed opportunities amid imperfect track conditions that caused struggles with tyre warm-up. But the performances of a select few stood out from the crowd
The five key tests Hamilton passed to claim Portugal victory
Just as he did in 2020, Lewis Hamilton had to come from behind to win the 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix. Only this time there were two rivals he had to pass, among the several challenges he had to overcome, on his way to securing a 97th grand prix victory
The data that leaves both Red Bull, Mercedes uncertain of supremacy
Lewis Hamilton topped the crucial FP2 session on Friday as F1 returned to Portugal, but his Mercedes team cannot be sure it has the edge on its Red Bull rivals. As cool temperatures and wind combine with the still-slippery surface to present drivers with quandaries over set-up and tyre warmup, there's still everything to play for come qualifying.
How in-form Norris is staking his claim as Britain's next F1 champion
As a highly-rated Mercedes junior, George Russell is naturally billed as Lewis Hamilton's heir apparent where Britain's next Formula 1 champion is concerned. But he may face competition for that accolade from Lando Norris, fresh from a confidence-boosting run to third at Imola whose rise is being accelerated by his McLaren team’s revival
