As Formula 1 heads to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso will take to the track on 20 April with a custom-designed helmet inspired by the landscapes and colours of Saudi Arabia.
The helmet is the result of a nationwide design competition launched as part of Aramco’s Generation 3 initiative, aimed at encouraging young creatives across the Kingdom. The winning design was submitted by Sarah Turkestani, a Saudi physics student and artist who combined her passion for motorsport and visual storytelling to create a distinctive livery for the two-time world champion.
Alonso personally selected Turkestani’s submission from among the entries, drawn to the helmet’s desert tones and layered colour palette that reminded him of his experience competing in the Dakar Rally. The design features a striking yellow base that gradually fades into green and blue, with a shape that subtly evokes a palm tree.
The top of the helmet is finished in the deep green of the Saudi flag, matching the colour scheme of Alonso’s Aston Martin AMR24 and anchoring the design in a recognisable national symbol. According to the team, the helmet reflects more than visual flair — it represents a convergence of sustainability, heritage, and personal memory.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is held on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Once a sport where drivers kept the same helmet design year after year, Formula 1 now embraces more personal and experimental helmet liveries — and Alonso’s latest choice is a clear nod to local culture and youth creativity.
The project also highlights the growing crossover between sport and social initiatives in the Kingdom. On Instagram, Aramco celebrated Turkestani’s win, calling her design “a dream come true” and a moment that “combines her passion for art and science.”
For fans, Alonso’s helmet will be easy to spot under the lights of the Jeddah street circuit — a splash of colour and story that carries Saudi inspiration straight to the grid.
Comments (0)