Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas will pay tribute to compatriot Mika Hakkinen at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix by sporting the double World Champion’s helmet design.
Hakkinen, the 1998 and 1999 World Champion, claimed victory around the streets of the Principality 20 years ago – his only success at the venue.
Drivers often sport modified helmet designs in Monaco and Bottas will don Hakkinen’s colours for this weekend’s event.
“It’s the [design] of Mika Hakkinen, he won here 20 years ago exactly and that year he won the title,” said Bottas as he unveiled the design.
“I’m going to pay a tribute for that. I respect him as a driver and a guy.”
Bottas has never triumphed around the streets of Monaco in Formula 1 – with his fourth-placed finish for Mercedes 12 months ago his highest classification.
