Schumacher to Change Helmet Design in 2010

Every time Michael Schumacher changed teams inside the Formula One Championship, the German driver chose to change his helmet livery in the process. Maybe not right away, but at some point he did do it. However, during the latest GP2 testing session at Jerez, the 41-year old was seen wearing the same bright-red helmet he used to have in his Ferrari days, which made everyone wonder why he doesn't plan a new “facelift” helmet-wise.

The answer was given by German publication Bild, whose reporters revealed that Schumacher asked helmet manufacturer Schuberth to design him a brand new helmet for the 2010 season of F1. According to the aforementioned source, “the paint scheme is also (going) to change” and the new one will be built especially for celebrating his return to the series.

Schumacher is currently testing a development GP2 Series car at the Jerez circuit – until Thursday – and reportedly uses the bright-red helmet until the new one will be ready. However, a significant change was made to his current helmet, as it now features Mercedes' 3-point star in the front side.

Back when he was driving for Benetton and in his early years at Ferrari, the 7-time world champion used to wear a white and blue helmet (predominantly).

Although Bild told us that Schumacher is planning a new helmet design, we're yet to find out when it will also debut it inside the Mercedes-Petronas RB1 (allegedly the name of Mercedes GP's new car for 2010). Following the Jerez testing this week, Schumacher's next track outing will happen in Valencia, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, where the testing season in F1 kick off on February 1st.