» GALLERY: New helmets for Indian Grand Prix

Helmet designs were once regarded as the great constant in motorsport, with drivers traditionally carrying the same design scheme throughout their career, starting out in their first forays into karting.

Today, that concept is becoming increasingly rare – undoubtedly off the back of Sebastian Vettel, who seems to run a new helmet scheme almost as often as he changes underwear.

This weekend’s Indian Grand Prix is no exception, with several drivers sporting new lids for a host of different reasons…

With this being the first grand Prix since the deaths of IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon and MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, many F1 drivers are paying tribute to them this weekend.

Fernando Alonso is carrying the IndyCar and MotoGP insignias on his traditional blue and yellow colour scheme; McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are wearing black armbands to show their respects.

Jarno Trulli has redesigned his helmet colour scheme to replicate the helmet design of his countryman Simoncelli, even sporting #58 stickers in deference to his compatriot’s bike number. At HRT, the F110 chassis carries a black stripe to show the team’s respects to Wheldon and Simoncelli.

HRT driver Narain Karthikeyan is also sporting a new helmet design on his return to the Grand Prix racing scene. The Indian is sporting a cartoon motif of himself holding a sign saying ‘Welcome to India’.

Narain Karthikeyan sported this funky one-off helmet design for his home race

Hamilton honoures Bob Marley with his helmet scheme

At McLaren, Lewis Hamilton is also showcasing a new helmet scheme to pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of the death of reggae artist Bob Marley, one of Hamilton’s favourite singers.

COMING SOON! An EXCLUSIVE RichardsF1.com ‘Top 10’ Feature: Best F1 Helmet Designs

[Images via LAT and Sutton Images]