Verstappen's head too big for Red Bull's helmets
Not big-headed like that...
Max Verstappen is using a different brand's helmet for 2019, because his head was too big for Red Bull's provider of choice, Dr Helmut Marko has revealed. Verstappen suffered discomfort using Arai – who Red Bull have used for many years – prompting a late switch to Schuberth lids for the year ahead.
Marko even revealed that Red Bull's 2019 car, the RB15, was designed with the use of Arai helmets in mind, but the team have had no issues with Verstappen switching provider.
The Dutchman's 2019 helmet design is a step change, using mostly white, having previously stuck to Red Bull's brand colours – and the team's supplier – as most drivers under the teams umbrella do.
Marko told Motorsport.com: "The Arai helmet was used as basis for our car concept.
"We've had a contract with Arai for many years, and not only for the drivers at Red Bull Racing, but also for the mechanics, for Toro Rosso, for our junior team.
"But Verstappen had problems with the Arai helmet [in testing]. It didn't fit and he didn't see properly. He felt extremely uncomfortable.
"If a driver feels uncomfortable with his helmet, it's not wise to force something on him.
"At the time we had to decide, it wasn't clear whether Arai would manage the homologation. So we made that decision."
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Miami Grand Prix Sprint
Mercedes F1 star hit with LATE penalty at Miami Grand Prix
Miami Grand Prix Sprint
F1 Sprint Results Today: 2026 Miami Grand Prix times and positions
Miami Grand Prix Sprint
Mercedes suffer nightmare start as Ferrari pounce in Miami
Miami Grand Prix Sprint
Audi F1 star's car catches fire BEFORE Miami race start
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page