Toro Rosso racer Daniil Kvyat has unveiled a tweaked helmet design for his home race in Russia this weekend, referencing an incident with Sebastian Vettel from last season.
Kvyat, then competing for Red Bull, muscled his way past Vettel at the start of last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, a move which enraged the German, who likened his approach to a ‘torpedo.’
At the following round in Russia, Kvyat twice struck Vettel on the opening lap, the second contact sending the Ferrari driver into retirement.
Kvyat received heavy criticism for the incident and was demoted to Toro Rosso after the event, with Max Verstappen slotted into Red Bull in his place.
“New helmet for the home Grand Prix," Kvyat posted on social media, alongside the hashtag ‘torpedo’.
Kvyat is the only Russian representative on the Formula 1 grid, though compatriot Sergey Sirotkin will participate in the first practice session with Renault.
"Since year one [in 2014] there was quite full grandstands, it’s important to maintain this, I'm expecting to see again a lot of people here Sunday," said the Toro Rosso driver.
