Max Verstappen drops jaw-dropping helmet for Red Bull’s home race

Max Verstappen will arrive at the Austrian Grand Prix with a new helmet, celebrating Red Bull's home campaign at the Red Bull Ring. Named the Orange Lion, it will be used this coming weekend, as well as at the Belgian and Dutch Grand Prix later this season.

It's a substantial departure from the reigning champion's usual design, with it instead using navy and orange colours that complement the livery of his Red Bull machinery. As you'd expect, the lion motif remains on the top of the helmet.

Helmet of Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Max Verstappen

"As special as ever," the Dutchman posted to Instagram alongside images of his new lid. The post received over 400,000 likes within just five hours of it going live. 

"That lion is ready to win the race," one commenter posted. 

The unveiling of the helmet comes at an important time for the team, who are looking to manage a difficult season so far. With McLaren holding both the constructors' and drivers' standings, Verstappen's chances of a fifth consecutive championship win seem to be dwindling. But with his Orange Army ready to cheer him on from behind the famous bull sculpture, he will be motivated to give fans another impressive showing.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 43 points and Lando Norris by 21 points, he sits with 11 penalty points on his super licence after hitting George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. While the Dutchman is walking a tightrope, two expire at the end of the month on the 30th. 

"I mean, you [all] speaking about it on Thursday," Verstappen said after the race. "It's such a waste of time. It's very childish. So that's why I also don't want to say too much, because it's really annoying this world that we live in."

Team principal Christian Horner discussed expectations going into this weekend.

"Probably our weakness at the moment is in the medium speed type of corners," said Horner.

"The middle sector, there's a bit of medium speed there, so, we'll see. I would expect, if it's hot, McLaren to again be stronger."