Diamonds are forever.....

[Super Tourer]

You may recall that last year at Monaco, Jaguar Racing fixed a diamond into the nose of their cars, one of which was 'lost' when Klein went into the barrier.


This year it's McLaren's turn to promote Steinmetz's diamonds to the rich and famous at Monaco.

During the Monaco Grand Prix weekend McLaren drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Räikkönen will be wearing the most expensive helmets of their class. Their helmets will feature their name in diamonds on it, sponsored by McLaren's new partner Steinmetz.

Crikey..

After the race, the helmets will be auctioned and all the proceeds will go to charities chosen by the drivers and the Team.

Excellent.

Thanks to the Steinmetz pavé diamonds, the bespoke helmets will be the most expensive ever to race around Monaco… or any other track on the Grand Prix circuit. And there is no doubt in anyone's mind that these two will certainly be winners in the style stakes!

Hmmm....

It took three months to create the two helmets with the diamonds. The round, brilliant cut diamonds were cut and polished to exact measurement in one of Steinmetz's state-of-the-art factories in South Africa. The diamonds were placed on the helmet using precise, resin techniques to ensure they remain on the helmet throughout any conditions the race may see.

Presumably marketing speak for won't fall off.

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=86469

[Rennen]

And we were told 'bling' was out for racing drivers!

[Marbot]

So not much chance of KR or JPM throwing their helmets into the grandstand at the end of the race then (assuming they have reason to do so).

[M Coupe]

Originally Posted by Super Tourer

It took three months to create the two helmets with the diamonds. The round, brilliant cut diamonds were cut and polished to exact measurement in one of Steinmetz's state-of-the-art factories in South Africa. The diamonds were placed on the helmet using precise, resin techniques to ensure they remain on the helmet throughout any conditions the race may see.

Presumably marketing speak for won't fall off.

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=86469

Looks like they have lost one already from the C.

[Kicking-back]

There won't have been one there in the first place!

[Sodemo]

Bet they fly off into someone pocket during the race...

[Logrence]

Originally Posted by Super Tourer

The diamonds were placed on the helmet using precise, resin techniques to ensure they remain on the helmet throughout any conditions the race may see.

"Using loctite superglue from B&Q" doesn't quite have the same effect, does it?

I reckon it's diamonique, they'd not be that silly with expensive crystals, would they?

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

So not much chance of KR or JPM throwing their helmets into the grandstand at the end of the race then (assuming they have reason to do so).

Perhaps that's why the diamonds aren't going on the steering wheels!

[Raglanparade]

How much was the diamond lost from Kliens car at the hairpin last year ?

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

How much was the diamond lost from Kliens car at the hairpin last year ?

If you have to ask, you can't afford it!

[Kicking-back]

I don't think the diamond was ever really lost - it was fantastic publicity.

[DKGandBH]

Would the "safety" of the helmet come into play here...

If they were "whacked" on the Diamond (so to speak)...It would provide an excellent cutting tool to get through to the drivers head...???

DKGAnDBH

[Kicking-back]

I don't think that's going to be a problem!

The diamonds are very small - and this would have to be FIA approved anyway.

[Knowlesy]

Red Bull are going publicity crazy as well, they've went Star Wars mental according to Autosport this week!

[Steevp]

The Red Bull car sports the logo "Powered by the Dark Side".... erm.. didn't the dark side lose?

Having said that Klein was steller in Practice one..

[Adam43]

The dark side is a lot cooler though. Go on give in to your anger...

[Kicking-back]

Who'd have thought a team going for a trendy image like Red Bull would sell their soul to a film for geeks and freaks

[andy_b]

pays the bills and its integration is pretty cool. Better than last year when it was oh lets just paint the engine cover in red (Oceans Twelve)

[Kidzer]

k-b, im nae freak, an i'm nae a geek..I like star wars though

[jock25]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Who'd have thought a team going for a trendy image like Red Bull would sell their soul to a film for geeks and freaks

There must be a hell of a lot of freaks and geeks in the world for Star Wars Episodes 1, 2, 4 and 6 to be in the top 20 highest grossing films.

[Russ-Turner]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

How much was the diamond lost from Kliens car at the hairpin last year ?

$200,000 if i remember correctly.

[Russ-Turner]

Originally Posted by andy_b

pays the bills and its integration is pretty cool. Better than last year when it was oh lets just paint the engine cover in red (Oceans Twelve)

They've gone the whole hog!!...look who is set to replace D.C. next year. Apparently he's coping well with the g-forces and is still taller than Sato when out of the car :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...er/yoda-f1.jpg

[429CJ]

It seems that Kimi's helmet has all different colouring also, it's BLACK:

[Kicking-back]

Yes, he's dropped the blue from the design and made it McLaren coroporate colours - which bodes well for the future.

[Russ-Turner]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Yes, he's dropped the blue from the design and made it McLaren coroporate colours - which bodes well for the future.

That looks sweet!