Charles Leclerc pays tribute to China with a special helmet

In this year of the wooden snake, Charles Leclerc has given a nod to China with a special helmet that he will wear this weekend during the Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Published 21/03/2025 à 06:08

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Charles Leclerc pays tribute to China with a special helmet

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Despite his immense track record, Lewis Hamilton is not the pilot Ferrari who will win by applause this weekend in Shanghai, where he has won six times. Nor will it be his popular teammate Charles Leclerc, but rather the discreet reservist Guanyu-Zhou. The Chinese return home for the second time in Formula 1, after receiving a rock star welcome last year when he was driving for Sauber.

While his fans won't be seeing him on track this weekend, they can enjoy a little Chinese touch at Ferrari, brought by Charles Leclerc and his helmet designed for the occasion. The Monegasque driver has asked Adrien Paviot, his regular designer, to create a special headgear for the next two rounds of the season, in China and then Japan.

“Charles just asked me for helmets for the Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix.” Adrien Paviot explained to us at the beginning of February. "For China, he had a very specific idea: he wanted the snake, because it's the year of the snake. For Japan, he had no idea, so I was the one who came up with the idea of Japanese calligraphy. As long as I know the name of the Grand Prix, I'll be able to come up with ideas."

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“I like working with Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc because it is with them that we made the best design base." continued the journalist – pilot – helmet creator. "We can make them a white, red, or green helmet, and people will know at first glance that it's Pierre Gasly or Charles Leclerc. We've found a real identity in the helmets, and that's where I think it's a great success."

Charles Leclerc debuted his new helmet with a spin during free practice for the Chinese GP, which was not serious. The Monegasque finished second in the session, behind a Lando Norris untouchable.

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