Romain Grosjean kids, Williams founders and Ferrari love - tribute helmets abound in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Grosjean kids, Williams founders and Ferrari love - tribute helmets abound in Abu Dhabi

Four drivers reveal new season finale helmets to commemorate end of eras

Will Gray

Saturday 12 December 2020 08:44

Romain Grosjean has revealed he planned to wear a helmet design drawn by his children in what would have been his farewell Formula 1 appearance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.

Grosjean, without a place on the grid for next year after being dropped by Haas, has been forced to miss the season finale due to injuries sustained in his fiery crash in Bahrain two weekends ago.

The French driver, who made his debut in 2009 and has competed in 179 races, is determined to have one final F1 test run next year, potentially with Mercedes after boss Toto Wolff made an offer and if an agreement can be made.

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Ahead of this weekend’s race, Grosjean said on Instagram: “This is the most beautiful helmet I could ever imagine.

"It was created by Sacha, Simon & Camille for my last race. I will try to give it a ride in the future as it's far too beautiful to stay at home unused.”

This is the most beautiful helmet I could ever imagine.
It was created by Sacha, Simon & Camille for my last @f1 race in Abu Dhabi.
I will try to give it a ride in the future as it's far too beautiful to stay at home unused! pic.twitter.com/zTEy9QITP1
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) December 11, 2020

George Russell, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, all have tribute helmets on display at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Williams driver Russell, who returned to the team after substituting for Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix last weekend, wore a design paying homage to the Williams family, who sold the team this year, ending more than four decades in the sport.

Sporting white silhouettes of the team's nine constructors' championship-winning cars, it also sported a message that read: 'thank you Frank & Claire'.

Frank, Claire, this one is for you, to celebrate your incredible journey in F1. Thank you for all you’ve done for me, the team and the sport. Hope you like it ? pic.twitter.com/3O1mmXBy7X
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) December 11, 2020

Ferrari driver Vettel, who will leave the team after six years, has gone for a chrome design with German and Italian flags on the top along with a message to the team and the number of his Ferrari race wins, podiums and starts.

"As you can see, it's very glittery because in Abu Dhabi we are racing into the night,” he said, adding that he had “the message 'grazie ragazzi' and 'grazie to Ferrari, Italia, Maranello and the tifosi'” written on top.

?? ❤️ ??#essereFerrari ? pic.twitter.com/ONluJ6mL50
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) December 11, 2020

It is all love and hugs at Ferrari as Vettel’s team-mate Leclerc has paid tribute to the departing four-time champion by wearing the message 'Danke, Seb' on the top of his helmet, with his favourite images of the pair in a number 16 on the side.

DANKE SEB ♥️@Charles_Leclerc pays tribute to #Seb5 for the #AbuDhabiGP?? ?#essereFerrari? #GrazieSeb pic.twitter.com/qIZzxfQBcZ
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) December 11, 2020