Lando Norris is set to race at the Canadian Grand Prix with a special one-off crash helmet design. The helmet will raise awareness for fellow Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart’s dementia charity, Race Against Dementia.
A Design to Highlight Dementia’s Impact
Norris revealed the split-design crash helmet on Thursday in Montreal. The design is based on the concept of synapses and the damage done to them by dementia. Synapses are the neural connections fundamental to how the brain works.
“The design is in two halves,” said Norris. His merchandise shop is also making mini versions of the design with all profits going directly to Race Against Dementia.
“One side shows a healthy brain and the other side shows a brain affected by synaptic loss.”
According to Norris, different forms of dementia damage different parts of the brain. This damage impacts memory, thinking, communication and decision-making, with symptoms getting worse over time. The helmet design concept was developed with Race Against Dementia Fellow Dr Maura Malpetti.
Stewart’s Dedication to the Cause
Three-time F1 world champion Stewart founded Race Against Dementia after his wife Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
“Knowing Jackie and hearing how openly he speaks about the impact dementia has had on Helen, their family and others around them has really highlighted how many people this affects,” said Norris.
Stewart’s standing in F1 sees the championship and its drivers regularly lending their support to the charity and various initiatives. Since 2016, the charity has committed more than £20million to funding dementia research.
Stewart Praises Norris’s Enthusiasm
“Racing helmets have played a large part in my life,” said Stewart.
“However, none of my helmets were designed with such a serious message attached to them.
“Lando and Maura have found a way to express some very complicated ideas with real imagination and personality.
“I’m grateful to Lando for embracing Race Against Dementia with such enthusiasm.”
Elsewhere in F1:
- The F1 25: 2026 season pack will feature the 2026 regulations, new entries Audi and Cadillac plus new circuit the Madring
- The board game will feature all 24 planned race locations and 11 teams from the 2026 F1 season
- A new competition is giving children with a passion for racing the chance to step into the world of F1
Red Bull Racing and Crocs have joined forces to launch a new F1 inspired footwear collection.
Marsh is bringing their knowledge for risk management to the F1 track.
The Pop-Up Hotel group is expanding its British Grand Prix presence with a new trackside swimming pool and swim-up bar overlooking Silverstone for 2026.