Vergne pays tribute to Cevert with special helmet design
Jean-Eric Vergne is paying tribute to French Formula 1 legend Francois Cevert by carrying his helmet colours in the Monaco Grand Prix


The Scuderia Toro Rosso driver wore a helmet painted in Cevert's distinctive colours, albeit with Red Bull logos incorporated.
It is the second time that the Frenchman has paid tribute to one of his countrymen in this way having carried Jean Alesi's helmet design last year.
"I wanted to make another special helmet, last year I did Jean Alesi, this time Francois Cevert," said Vergne when asked about his helmet by AUTOSPORT.
"It's forty years since his death and his sister wrote a book about him this year, so everything makes sense.
"He was the first really famous French driver in F1 and was really well-liked in the paddock, so it is good to give him a tribute."
Cevert was killed during practice for the 1973 United States Grand Prix when he crashed his Tyrrell.
He made his debut in F1 in 1970 and was destined to lead the Tyrrell team in 1974 after team-mate Jackie Stewart retired.
Cevert won one F1 race, the 1971 United States Grand Prix, and his best finish at Monaco was fourth.
Vergne hinted that he plans to continue this the tradition of honouring a former French legend if he has the opportunity next season, but has yet to decide who.
"I don't know, I have one year to think about it," he said.
Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen also carried a tribute to 1976 world champion James Hunt during practice.
The top of his helmet featured an image of Hunt with the words "James Hunt 1976 world champion".
But he is now set to have to cover this up because FOM restrictions on use of lettering facing the onboard camera mean it could be construed as advertising.
Raikkonen said yesterday that "as far as I know" he was going to continue to use the helmet all weekend when asked about it by AUTOSPORT.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was also on the spotlight for his special helmet design this weekend.
The Red Bull driver is using heat-activated paint that makes the bikini of the pin-up girl on the back of his helmet vanish as it gets warmer.

Pirelli F1 tyre tweaks should be tested first, argues Force India
High-degrading tyres a test for Formula 1 engine makers too

Latest news
The combination behind the Silverstone racing battles Hamilton called "F1 at its best"
OPINION: The late battling in the British Grand Prix wowed Formula 1 fans and surely represents the best racing action of the season so far. And there was a cocktail of factors that created the action, from which Carlos Sainz emerged as a popular new winner
How Ferrari’s Monaco headache became its Silverstone migraine
OPINION: Ferrari won the British Grand Prix with Carlos Sainz, but it ultimately cost Charles Leclerc a chance to make a bigger dent in Max Verstappen's title lead by leaving the Monegasque out on old tyres towards the end. Like Monaco, indecision over strategy proved to be the Scuderia's biggest issue - and if the team doesn't reflect, the headache can only intensify
The five factors behind Sainz winning a British GP he’d twice lost
Formula 1 has a newest race winner, in a grand prix the victor appeared to have lost twice, only to charge back to headline a sensational and dramatic British Grand Prix. From a massive start crash to a late sprint finish, here’s how five factors saw Carlos Sainz take his maiden grand prix win
Why there was no case to answer in Aston’s latest F1 copycat saga
The appearance of a revised Aston Martin in Spain caused controversy but PAT SYMONDS explains why the FIA investigation found the Silverstone team had no case to answer
Why it's Red Bull that really leads a three-way fight so far at Silverstone
After a slow start to Friday at Silverstone, all the Formula 1 teams had to effectively cram in a day’s worth of practice into one hour. But there was still plenty to learn and while Ferrari topped the times, a three-way battle is brewing ahead of the British Grand Prix
Why the future is bright for the British GP
It wasn’t so long ago the situation looked bleak at Silverstone with the future of the British Grand Prix under threat. But a transformation has seen it restored to one of the most important races on the Formula 1 calendar, with bigger and better to come
Could mixed fortunes for F1's leading Brits turn around at Silverstone?
For the first time in many years, none of the local racers starts among the favourites for the British Grand Prix. But George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris could have reasons for optimism
Verstappen exclusive: Why F1’s champion isn’t fazed by Silverstone return
Max Verstappen is the world’s number one racing driver… and he’s determined to keep it that way. Speaking exclusively to GP Racing's OLEG KARPOV, the Red Bull driver explains why he’s relishing the 2022 championship battle with Charles Leclerc – and why he’s not worried about returning to Silverstone, the scene of the biggest accident of his career last year