Lewis Hamilton will be racing in Las Vegas with a silver glitter helmet, but the Ferrari racing suits are also something very special.
Lewis Hamilton presents an extraordinary helmet for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion is deviating from his usual bright yellow with red accents and opting for a completely silver glitter design that matches the City of Lights.
Hamilton shared the design on his social media channels ahead of the race weekend. The helmet reflects the sparkling atmosphere of Las Vegas and marks a visual departure from his usual color scheme, which he has maintained for years.
In addition to the new helmet, Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc will wear special racing suits. These feature three different shades of red, paying tribute to 20 years of collaboration between the Maranello-based racing team and equipment supplier Puma.
Homage to history
The official Ferrari website explains the significance of the three shades in more detail. “There is the original burgundy red, which was shown at the Scuderia’s 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Mugello in 2020, the red of the 2007 car that won the drivers’ title with Kimi Räikkönen, and the red of the F2008, which secured the constructors’ title the following season with the Finn and Felipe Massa.”
Hamilton goes into the last three races of the season in sixth place in the drivers’ standings with 148 points. He is 66 points behind Leclerc. Both want to put the Brazilian Grand Prix behind them, where they left Interlagos with a double retirement.
The weekend in Nevada presents special challenges. The low temperatures place different demands on tire management than most other races on the calendar. Added to this is the unusual schedule with the race taking place late on Saturday evening.
Ferrari feels well prepared
“Vegas is a unique event on the calendar,” explains team principal Fred Vasseur. “The atmosphere, the schedule with the race on Saturday evening, and the track itself make it something special.” The Frenchman believes his team is well prepared, but urges them to stay focused.
“In previous events, we have shown good speed and were able to compete at the front. We want to repeat that this weekend,” Vasseur continues. Ferrari’s recent performances give them reason to be confident, even though Brazil ended bitterly with both cars retiring.
The specific requirements of the Las Vegas Street Circuit demand full attention.
“In Vegas, it will be particularly important to focus on all the special challenges this track presents,” said the team boss, emphasizing the complexity of the course.
Strategy is key
Tire management at very low temperatures will once again be a key factor. The conditions are very different from most other venues and require precise coordination between the driver, engineer, and strategy department.
“It will be equally important to read the race correctly and identify the best strategic opportunities,” adds Vasseur. The right approach during safety car phases and the optimal timing for pit stops can mean the difference between success and failure. Ferrari wants to leave no stone unturned. “As always, our focus is on ourselves. We have to make sure we don’t leave any performance on the table,” Vasseur makes clear. Every point counts in the battle for the constructors’ championship.
