One rule that the F1 Commission is keen to see introduced as soon as possible is that concerning driver helmet designs.

Having previously introduced a system whereby drivers retain one race number for their entire F1 careers, the commission is now proposing that drivers also stick to one basic helmet livery.

The move, yet to be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council, is intended to create the same sort of stability as the permanent race numbers.

Amongst the changes up for discussion by the F1 Commission yesterday was that intending to see cars return to the look of the early 90s. Whilst that has been put aside, at least until 2017, instead it is the concept of helmet liveries that returns to a previous era.

Not that long ago, drivers ran with one basic helmet deign throughout their careers, indeed, in the case of Damon Hill, the Briton ran with the same (London Rowing Club) colours made famous by his father Graham Hill.

However, in recent years there has been a tendency for drivers to change helmet designs at whim, the most notorious culprit being Sebastian Vettel (pictured top) who would change his design on a race by race basis, and in some cases session by session.

Whilst many will be delighted by the move, former F1 star Mark Webber posed the thought that maybe there were "bigger issues" for the sport to be concerned with.

Jenson Button subsequently queried whether; "same underwear for the whole season is on the list?"

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 20/02/2015 11:54

"Nero allegedly fiddled while Rome burned....."

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2. Posted by karel, 19/02/2015 11:38

"yes don't forget regulations for the colour of underwear neather, yes it's getting .... and ....."

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3. Posted by Hondawho?, 19/02/2015 10:13

"7. Posted by gturner38, 9 hours ago
There's also a marketing angle behind this. How many people are buying Vettel replica helmets? Probably none since no one can remember what a Vettel helmet actually looks like."

Who is "Vettel? LOL not heard of him for a while, is he important any longer?"

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4. Posted by Hondawho?, 19/02/2015 10:11

"They must have their reasons but, quite honestly I think I'll agree the comments below, with Mark Webber and the one about Rugby............."

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5. Posted by inoffapost, 19/02/2015 9:41

"Ridiculous. The F1 Commission has opened itself up to ridicule with this 'ruling'.
I am all for tradition and most drivers to continue with a helmet design theme anyway even when concocting their 'special' lids.
The drivers helmet changes are invariably topical themes of the day and often for charity purposes anyway.
This 'nanny state' management of the sport is very worrying and it is clear that the sports governing body is far removed from the real world.
Personally, I would favour a return to different liveries on cars in the same team as in the '70's and '80's. Sponsorship is so difficult to find these days it would enable teams to find specific sponsors for individual cars rather than finding a title sponsor to fund both cars. It added to the colour and shape of the sport at the time.
But of course, Bernie, the ultimate dealmaker, felt it somehow detracted from the sport, and probably has something to say on this issue as well.
Mark Webber is right. There are bigger issues than this. Alex Wurz and Button are also correct in their comments....whats next regulation haircuts? Sanitised vacuum packed F1. Existing in the bubble of delusion. Who cares you idiots? "

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6. Posted by Darvi, 19/02/2015 6:22

"Thank god.... there was me thinking that the FIA/CVC hd taken their eye off the ball and that F1 was in danger of fading away in a miasma of outdated rules, massively high costs and no thought about what the viewing public wants.... but I'd under estimated them, this will sort out all the ills and get the sport back on track, hurrah!

Of course the irony is, that with so few cars competing now it's not going to be that difficult to identify the drivers. What a useless waste of time, I agree with Mark Webber, have they really got nothing more pressing to think about. "

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7. Posted by Johnr10, 19/02/2015 4:28

"This smells of a ploy to get people talking about something other than the real issues in the sport. I smell Bernie all over this. A stupid talking point for a couple days to fill the column inches before the next test. I'd bet a lot of $ that this will fall off before it gets any traction.

If this does go off, it's ridiculously stupid. The numbers were a good idea, but why not make them bigger and more visible to create ACTUAL recognition and identification. Why take away the only individuality afforded to the driver. Even still drivers are forced to incorporate sponsors into their designs.

Dumb rule all over."

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8. Posted by Zarbatron, 19/02/2015 3:12

"Titanic : Deck Chairs = F1 : Helmets"

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9. Posted by Imsa, 19/02/2015 1:02 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 19/02/2015 7:44)

"Once again the F1 Commission is tap dancing around the real issues with F1. Declining viewing both on TV and at the track, eco-friendly cars, rising costs - the list goes on.

When a business such as F1 is sliding the wrong way, an old adage comes to mind: "Never bend over to pick up a peanut when there's a herd of Elephants behind you."

I agree with Jenson - helmets today - underwear tomorrow . . . what a joke."

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10. Posted by gturner38, 19/02/2015 0:45

"I guess I'm in the minority thinking this is a good thing. If somebody shows us a picture of a late-80s McLaren on track, no one has to look at the number and try to remember who won the championship the year before to know if it's Senna or Prost. Same with Hill and Coulthard, Schumacher or Irvine, etc. So lone as there is some leeway for a special message or changing the color while maintaining the basic design ala Button's pink helemet, I think it's good for fans.

There's also a marketing angle behind this. How many people are buying Vettel replica helmets? Probably none since no one can remember what a Vettel helmet actually looks like."

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11. Posted by stackvideo, 19/02/2015 0:36

"No doubt this very important rule change will increase TV viewing audience and fill all those empty sets. "

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12. Posted by Alan, 18/02/2015 21:34

"How pathetic! As Mark Webber appears to have suggested (above), don't the FIA and other bodies have better things to concern themselves with than helmet designs? No wonder the 'sport' is going down the drain - as the fans desert the stadiums and their TVs so they can watch better activities. I haven't watched a GP for years because of the ridiculous conduct of the governing bodies - after watching enthusiastically for decades. Give me a good rugby match to watch any time! It's certainly better than F1."

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13. Posted by F One, 18/02/2015 21:07

"I agree with this one. It got right up my nose that Vettel couldn't make his mind up and changed his helmet every damn race!"

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14. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 18/02/2015 20:28 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 19/02/2015 7:44)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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15. Posted by CL, 18/02/2015 20:08

"So if the punishment is a fine that's less than a sponsor would pay...

Or if the punishments us points on the license or grid places or...

Nope, this has to be a distraction from some real news. No?"

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Drivers to stick with one helmet design

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