Racing helmets play a vital role in F1 Racing, providing vital protection for the driver while also playing a key role in the image of the team. For assistance when it comes to the design of his racing helmet MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS driver Nico Rosberg works closely with helmet designer, Jens Munser who in turn relies on paint technology from Spies Hecker.

Jens Munser has been in this business for 27 years, and today, he and his team are among the most well-respected F1 helmet designers. He comments, “The paint process is very different from that of cars. We first produce graphic elements on the computer and transfer these to templates. Then, before the actual paint, we also apply a fire-proof primer.”

Munser uses the Spies Hecker Permahyd Hi-TEC Base Coat 480, with special effects achieved thanks to gold leaf, glitter flakes or transfer printing. Munser then uses the fast-drying Permasolid Speed Clear Coat 8800 or the efficient Permasolid Clear Coat 8035. The multiple paint layers, which must not exceed 50 grams in total, are used to create the unique helmet design in a process that takes anywhere between eight and 20 hours of work.

For further information on Spies Hecker – official team supplier of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM team – visit www.spieshecker.com/F1speed or www.facebook.com/spieshecker.