The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association will urge the FIA to revoke a rule which restricts how often they may change their helmet designs, Lewis Hamilton has said.

Many F1 drivers have criticised the rule. After running a poll on social media, Hamilton said an overwhelming number of fans believe it should be dropped.

The regulation, introduced in 2015, states that “in order for drivers to be easily distinguished from one another whilst they are on the track, the crash helmet of each driver must, with the exception of one competition of the driver’s choice, be presented in substantially the same livery at every competition during a championship season.”

Hamilton said he doesn’t “fully understand” why the rule was brought in. “But I hope with the GPDA we can work with the FIA to change it.”

He said drivers can’t easily be identified by their helmet designs as it is. “With the halo you can’t even really see it anyway.

“But I think it’s really important that, I’ve always said, each individual should be able to express their own individuality and their creativeness. That’s something I always got really creative with. You see some people obviously changing their helmets all the time.”

Hamilton has adapted his helmet design again this weekend in honour of Ayrton Senna.

“I always generally do a helmet in honour of Ayrton during the Brazilian Grand Prix,” he said. “It’s kind of a salute to him.

“But also I know that obviously there’s no Brazilian drivers here. And I know how much Brazil misses Ayrton. So it’s really kind of cool, not that they can really see my helmet, but it’s cool just to bring that back each year. Plus he’s the guy obviously that inspired me to do what I do.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2019 F1 season