Max Verstappen took to social media to reveal his new 2022 helmet, which is dripping in gold and features a new number.
Verstappen along withLewis Hamiltoncontested one of the all-time classic rivalries over the World Championship in 2021, the pair going into the final race in Abu Dhabi tied on points.
The title looked to be heading home with Hamilton for a record eighth time, but a late Safety Car allowed Verstappen to pit for fresh tyres, which upon the restart, he used to complete a last-lap overtake on Hamilton, thus clinching the title.
For the first time in his career, Verstappen heads into the upcoming campaign as reigning and defending champion having confirmed already that he will drop his number 33 to race with ‘1’ on his car, something that has not been done sinceSebastian Vettelembraced the option in 2014 as the 2013 World Champion.
Number one will also feature on Verstappen’s helmet which, taking inspiration from his title success, now features a plentiful supply of gold.
ɴᴇᴡ season, ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴜᴍʙᴇʀ, ɴᴇᴡ ʜᴇʟᴍᴇᴛ
Very happy to show you all my new helmet for the 2022 season! It's the small details that make the difference 1️⃣⭐
1:2 & 1:4 2022 scale models available soon. Pre-register now to be the first to know.https://t.co/ZJL7fBwqAypic.twitter.com/msq2Jcj9Hy
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen)January 27, 2022
“A bit more gold, as you can see, even ‘gives you wings’ is in gold at the moment so that looks really cool,” he said in a video to reveal the new lid.
“The line fully in gold and of course also the number one on the back spoiler.
“I decided to just not really change the design a lot, but of course change the colours a little bit, instead of the red you could see before, it is now basically fully gold everywhere with some tiny little details which improve…the thing also here [pointing to the Citrix branding in a gold pattern above the visor] a little more design into it.
“当然,我问小明星back with the championship win.
“I think tiny little upgrades, but I do think the gold makes it a little bit cooler, so I hope that you enjoy it as well.”
Verstappen will begin the defence of his crown in Bahrain, the race weekend from 18-20 March set to kick-off the new 2022 campaign.
Before that though, pre-season testing will be vital as the drivers get to grips with theall-new challengers for 2022, designed to radically altered regulations.
The first test will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, home of the Spanish Grand Prix, from 23-25 February, before the second test in Bahrain from 10-12 March.