Lewis Hamilton has been refused permission to wear a new helmet for this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix after the FIA introduced a new rule preventing drivers from changing the design during the season.
The world champion posted on his Instagram account: “I had a special helmet made this weekend to celebrate Petronas and Malaysia as I love this race. But due to the FIA’s new rule of not allowing drivers to change their helmet designs, I cannot wear it.”
The FIA rule states that drivers’ helmets must be “in substantially the same livery at every event during a championship season”.
Hamilton’s car had engine problems during the morning session of practice on Thursday in Sepang but the Briton still set the fastest time in the afternoon session.
