Linkin lid for Kobayashi
Kamui Kobayashi will once again come to the aid of his fellow Japanese people by sporting a special one-off helmet livery during this weekend's Brazilian GP.
The helmet in question has personally been designed by Joe Hahn, member and producer of American rock sensation Linkin Park, following an encounter during the Singapore GP which triggered the idea. The singer has also personally signed the helmet.
In conjunction with the charity Music for Relief, a venture headed by Hahn, the helmet worn by the Japanese star will be auctioned off after Sunday's race in aid of the Japanese relief efforts. Funding remains crucially important as Japan continues to rebuild following the natural disasters which struck the nation earlier this year.
Kobayashi, who has acted as a global ambassador for his home nation since the disaster struck, was only too happy to partake in a scheme so close to his heart. Regardless of what the Japanese driver does, his presence in F1 seems to bring the Japanese people together, and that was no more evident during the Japanese GP.
"I've long been a fan of Linkin Park," he said, "I love their music and I'm impressed by the band's social commitment. I was thrilled to meet the musicians personally in the paddock when they were giving a concert at the Singapore Grand Prix. We've been in touch since then and I'm really pleased that Joe Hahn has designed a helmet for me. I hope that we will be able to raise a lot of money for Music for Relief to help rebuild my country."
Hahn also noted that it was a 'fun opportunity' which could help make a positive difference to the people who need it.
"This was a fun opportunity to create something for Kamui while continuing our efforts to raise funds for Japan," said the rockstar.
Music for Relief has already donated an incredible $700,000 to the Japanese relief effort, while the organisation has raised a further $5m in previous natural disasters which have devastated nations.
The online auction for Kobnayashi's helmet has already started and will remain open until Monday 19 December. Interested bidders should click target=_blank>HERE
Kobayashi, however, will not be the only driver sporting a new-look helmet this weekend, as a number of drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Rubens Barrichello, will also show off alternative colours at this weekend's helmet frenzy.
Notably, Hamilton has adopted a special design in tribute to his childhood hero - and local favourite - Ayrton Senna, while Ferrari's Massa runs a new colour scheme in celebrating his tenth season in F1 coinciding with his 100th GP for Ferrari. The Brazilian has tweaked his traditional colours, sporting a metallic gold cross on a dark blue background.
Liuzzi has decided to make the most of the occasion by wearing a very special edition because, this time, the driver himself has been behind the design.
The helmet is the seventh special edition from Kaos Design, but will be different to anything seen before in F1. With a completely black base, the characteristic lines which Liuzzi has on his standard helmet will be drawn in white with the sponsors and VL logo written in golden leaf. The name of the helmet is 'K-Writeme' but the unique thing about it is that it is covered in a material similar to that of a blackboard, meaning that Liuzzi can write and erase what he wants on the surface until he is happy with the design.
"When [painter] 'Lucky' told me his idea for this last special edition, I loved it," the Italian admitted, "The possibility of customising your helmet how you want is something that has never been seen before in F1 and something that I thought was quite fun to finish the season off.
"I had no idea what it would look like - but, today, I saw the base for the first time and I love it. I just feel bad about ruining it with my drawings!"
All the more reason to keep a careful watch on a weekend which will prove to be a commentator's nightmare!
by Simon Evans
