Lando Norris signs historic Race Against Dementia helmet, joining every living F1 champion

Lando Norris has become the 21st and final driver to sign a unique helmet bearing the signatures of every living Formula 1 world champion. The McLaren driver, who clinched his first title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, added his name to the historic piece organized by Sir Jackie Stewart's charity, Race Against Dementia, which was raffled off to raise funds for pioneering dementia research.

Why it matters:

This helmet represents a rare moment of unity across generations of F1, bringing together champions from Jackie Stewart's era to the current grid for a cause that transcends the sport. It highlights how the F1 community can mobilize its global platform to support critical health initiatives, with dementia research being a deeply personal mission for Stewart following his wife Helen's diagnosis.

The details:

• The helmet was the centerpiece of a charity prize draw organized by Race Against Dementia, with the winners receiving the signed helmet and tickets to the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
• Sir Jackie Stewart initiated the project, calling dementia "the greatest challenge of my life, far tougher than anything I faced on the track."
• The signatures span over five decades of F1 history, from Stewart's first title in 1969 to Norris's maiden championship in 2025.
• The complete list of signatories includes legends like Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna (represented by legacy), Alain Prost, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and now Lando Norris.

The big picture:

Beyond the symbolic gathering of signatures, the project underscores a growing trend of F1 figures leveraging their influence for philanthropic causes. Stewart's relentless advocacy has brought unprecedented attention and funding to dementia research, using the sport's iconic symbols—like a helmet signed by every champion—as powerful tools for awareness and fundraising. This initiative connects the sport's glorious past with a pressing modern-day health challenge, demonstrating F1's potential impact beyond the racetrack.