Lewis Hamilton had to abandon plans to wear a one-off helmet for this week 's Malaysian Grand Prix . Regulations for the new season state that a driver must stick to the same helmet design for the entirety of the campaign . Hamilton brought a different lid to the second installment of this year 's championship in Sepang , but despite showing it off at the back of the Mercedes garage , opted against wearing it . Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will not be allowed to wear a novelty helmet for the Malaysian Grand Prix . Mercedes ' Hamilton in action during the practice section at the Sepang International Circuit on Friday . Hamilton , who overcame engine problems in the morning session to end the day top of the timesheets , said : ' I had a special helmet made this weekend to celebrate Petronas and Malaysia as I love this race , but due to the FIA 's new rule of not allowing drivers to change their helmet designs , I can not wear it . ' The FIA installed the new regulation for drivers to be easily identified by the sport 's fans and track-side spectators . The controversial ruling was however , branded a 'joke ' by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel who has sported various different helmet designs throughout his career . Meanwhile , Mercedes have paid tribute to the victims of this week 's devastating plane crash . Hamilton and team-mate Nico Rosberg are sporting a black ribbon on their Mercedes wing mirror at this weekend 's race in Malaysia in memory of the 150 people who died when a German Wings plane crashed en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf on Tuesday . Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has branded the FIA 's new helmet ruling as a 'joke ' Hamilton overcame engine problems in the morning practice session to end the day top of the timesheets .
Lewis Hamilton will not wear a novelty helmet for the Malaysian Grand Prix . New FIA regulations state that a driver must have the same helmet design for the entirety of the campaign . Sebastian Vettel , who has sported various helmet designs over his career , has branded the new ruling a 'joke '