McLaren’s Lando Norris looks all set to take advantage of F1’s decision to do away with restrictions on helmet changes for the season. Speaking to Autosport, the youngster announced that he hopes to have a new special design in every race.

“I’m planning to hopefully try and have one new special every race,” said Norris who termed the rule change one of the best things of the 2020 season.

Helmets are a way to identify the drivers

This sums up article 9.1 of the F1 rulebook saying that the livery must be the same throughout the season. The audience at the circuit can vouch for this as drivers are easily identifiable. Television fans can agree with it too. Lewis Hamilton was synonymous with his yellow helmet in his initial years with McLaren.

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The old set of drivers was not able to change their helmet design choosing to focus purely on racing. However, this is not an issue faced by the new breed of drivers which includes Lando Norris.

The McLaren youngster is amongst those who wish to tinker around with their helmet and livery. Throughout last season, Norris was restricted to a blue and yellow color scheme. The 20-year-old used one of his changes to pay homage to MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi at last year’s Italian GP.

With the rule change, Norris can certainly mix it up more.

Lando Norris will not be alone

In addition to Norris, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton have expressed displeasure over helmet design changes being prohibited. Whilst 6-time Champion Hamilton called it, “bs”, Vettel opted to prefix his rival’s displeasure with the word, “mega.”

These drivers too can be expected to join Norris in unveiling a new design at every race weekend. Norris’s Australian GP design was to feature kangaroos. Whilst, Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas had a dabbing Koala bear on his helmet.

The 20-year old said, “dabbing is old now.” This comment would certainly upset players across sports who celebrate with a dab. It also means that all of Norris’ designs are going to be new and ‘in’ things.

One way fans can identify Norris in future races is to look for the McLaren with a new helmet every race. But what’s stopping Carlos Sainz. Jr from doing the same?

The 2020 Formula 1 season is set to resume on the first weekend of June. fans will certainly be curious about what each driver will communicate through their helmet design. Sebastian Vettel constantly speaks about the need for drivers to be able to express themselves will certainly use his newfound creative liberties to the fullest.

Bottas and Norris’ Australian GP helmet designs were a clear indication that these could be country-based themes. Could we see Coronavirus messages in Azerbaijan? The possibilities are endless and will only add to the intrigue of a Grand Prix weekend.