Breaking news
Formula 1
Let drivers express themselves, says helmet painter
Sebastian Vettel's helmet painter questions new ruling that is set to ban changing designs.
GMM
Edited: Feb 23, 2015, 9:09 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Formula One is robbing drivers of one of the last ways they can truly express themselves.
That is the claim of Jens Munser, a helmet livery painter made famous in recent years by the ever-changing colours worn by quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Last week, it emerged that, to help spectators better recognise their favourite drivers, the trend of constantly changing helmet liveries will now be banned.
Munser admits that he will now have more time on his hands in 2015.
"It is also taking away an opportunity for drivers to express themselves," he told Speed Week.
Loopholes and backdoors
"You could say that they can still say what they want, but in Formula One these days is that really possible anymore?"
Asked if there is anything he can do to tackle the new rule, Munser answered: "The question is how the rule will be interpreted.
"What is a design change - just one colour? And who is going to sit down and check everything before each race?
"If they need an expert, I will have a little more time on my hands," he laughed.
Just 'for fun'
Munser was also asked if he intends to sue the FIA for loss of future wages.
"Ha! No, it's more on the fun side for me to do the designs for the drivers. It's not like we make a fortune from it.
"On the whole, Formula One is not the way I make money, but it is true that it is good PR."
Commenting on Massa
Finally, he responded to Felipe Massa's suggestion that the ban is good because a driver's helmet livery is like his "second face".
"He is not one of the drivers who keeps changing his design," Munser admitted.
"But from time to time he also had a special one, like when we did his last race for Ferrari.
"So he can't do that anymore, nor for a race like Monaco or a home race or a special occasion, like Jenson Button when he honoured his father with a pink helmet," he added.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Barcelona Day 4 testing notebook: Grosjean on top as Alonso shunts
Next article Top teams rejected 'semi-constructors' proposal
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Felipe Massa
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Formula 1
Formula 1
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
Latest news
Winners and losers from MotoGP’s contentious Qatar Grand Prix
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
12 min
Winners and losers from MotoGP’s contentious Qatar Grand Prix
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Carlos Ezpeleta: Qatar GP “noise” left MotoGP unnecessarily exposed
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Carlos Ezpeleta: Qatar GP “noise” left MotoGP unnecessarily exposed
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe