Théophile Naël wearing a helmet in tribute to Olivier Panis in Monaco

For the Monaco Grand Prix, French Formula 3 driver Théophile Naël will wear a helmet throughout the weekend paying tribute to Olivier Panis' victory in the streets of the Principality.

This Friday, the F3 The results of qualifying have not yet been announced, but free practice has been. Théophile Naël, who led the only official F3 session of the weekend, got off to a very good start, having already secured pole position in Melbourne.

Leading the F3 field at this stage, the Saint-Étienne driver appeared wearing a blue, white, and red helmet, a tribute to the one worn by Olivier Panis in 1986 during his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Adorned with various modernized designs, but retaining Panis's original style, Théophile Naël wanted to express the role model it represents for him.

“Thirty years ago, Olivier Panis won the legendary Monaco Grand Prix. I am very proud to pay tribute to him through the design of my helmet, and to wear his colors this weekend.” the young pilot explained in an Instagram postIt is an honor to represent the legacy of a driver who has left his mark on the history of French motorsport. I will do everything to wear these colors with pride and represent him in the best possible way on the track.

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Poleman but penalized in Melbourne, the driver who is tenth in F3 after only one meeting hopes to turn things around and thus win his first victory in the category on the streets of the Principality, just a few months after his success in Macau.