JANUARY 25, 2001
Schumacher becomes bullet-proof for new season
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER will wear a bullet-proof helmet as he attempts to regain his world drivers' title this season.
The Ferrari driver appeared at Barcelona testing this week with a new high-tech crash helmet, designed by the Braunschweig-based company Schuberth, which supplies similar equipment for the German armed forces.
It weighs considerably less than the old Bell model (1290 grams) and contains an air-purifying filter. The visor also has a special mechanism to prevent it from opening by itself, as in the case of violent impact.
The helmet has been manufactured in kevlar and carbon-fibre and it took five weeks to produce.
Ralf Schumacher has immediately followed his brother's example and will also wear a similar helmet in the 2001 World Championship.