HRT's Vitantonio Liuzzi pays respects to Japanese earthquake victims

HRT Formula 1 Team driver, Vitantonio Liuzzi, will pay respect to the victims of the earthquake that struck Japan’s northwest coast in March this year by wearing a special edition helmet in their honour.

Vitantonio Liuzzi, HRT Formula One Team

Photo by: xpb.cc

This will be Tonio’s sixth special edition helmet provided by Kaos Design this year and is named “Embracing Japan”. The base of the helmet is white, as a tribute to the Japanese flag. There is no excessive colour or design as a sign of purity and respect towards the Japanese people. The red circle which symbolizes the rising sun appears on the right and left flanks of the helmet with two hands, and in the middle the writing “We are here with you” is engraved in gold. This message is to show that Kaos Design, Bell, Tonio, HRT F1 Team and the whole of Formula 1 is behind Japan.

Once the Grand Prix has finished, Tonio will sign the “Embracing Japan” helmet and donate it to “Save Japan”, a foundation backed by Kamui Kobayashi among many other Japanese drivers and riders, which aids victims of the earthquake. The helmet will be auctioned with all benefits proceeding to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Vitantonio Liuzzi:

“The earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier this year was terribly shocking but this country proved once again how strong they are. While the country is yet rebuilding itself and the consequences of the disaster are still visible, we shouldn’t forget about them. Motorsports and Japan have a really close relationship and it is good to be back here and show our support. I also wanted to do my bit and, together with my helmet brand and designer, we prepared a special and very beautiful one that I will use only this weekend. On Sunday, after the race, I’ll donate it to the “Save Japan” foundation for them to auction it. They are doing a fantastic job and I hope to modestly contribute to the cause.”