Button goes back to the future with 2016 helmet design - MotorSportsTalk

Jenson Button has had a slightly altered helmet livery the last few years, and made special allowances for one-offs when the regulations still allowed. His “Pink for Papa” helmet, paying tribute to late father John Button, was arguably one of the most memorable helmets in the 2014 season.

Button though is going with the more standard blue, red and white colors of the Union Jack in his 2016 helmet, which he revealed on Instagram on Wednesday following a fan vote.

Here we are ladies and gentlemen, my new old helmet livery for 2016! #JB22 Hope you like it because you chose it! 😁

A photo posted by Jenson Button (@jenson_ichiban) on Feb 17, 2016 at 5:10am PST

The change comes after Button wore a primarily red and white helmet in 2015, pictured at the top of this post.

Button, who will begin his 17th season in Formula 1 this year and his seventh with McLaren, has had this type helmet design before. Here’s a couple reference points below, from his first year in 2000, his title-winning year at Brawn GP in 2009, his first year at McLaren in 2010, and the aforementioned “Pink for Papa” helmet in 2014.

Button in the pits ahead of the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix. Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson/ALLSPORT

Button clinches the 2009 World Championship in Brazil. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Button at 2010 Canadian Grand Prix. Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Button at the 2014 British Grand Prix. Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

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Santino Ferrucci will return to full-time racing in the NTT IndyCar Series next season, joining AJ Foyt Racing.

Ferrucci had made eight IndyCar starts with three teams since his last full-time season in 2020 while also racing part time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year.

He will drive the storied No. 14 Dallara-Chevrolet for four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt’s team, which will field the car from its Waller, Texas headquarters.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be back in the INDYCAR Series full time,” Ferrucci said in a team release. “Being a part-time driver over the last two years has been hard for me, personally. I’m a race car driver, and I want to compete. Working with different teams has been exciting, and I’m proud that no matter which car I’ve raced, I’ve always shown speed and consistency. I couldn’t be more excited to join AJ Foyt Racing in the 14 Chevy. I can’t wait to make the best of it.”

Ferrucci, 24, had finished a career-best fourth in IndyCar four times, including the 104th Indy 500 in 2020. He was the 2019 Indy 500 rookie of the year with a sixth.

In nine Xfinity starts since 2021, Ferrucci has a career-best finish of 13th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I am thrilled to welcome Santino to the team,” Larry Foyt said in a release. “He’s shown a knack for getting toward the front of the field, and I think he is a racer who moves forward on race day. A.J. sees the fire in him and has enjoyed their meetings together. I think Santino’s experience will help his rookie teammate as well, so he is a great addition to our roster.”

Ferrucci will be teamed at AJ Foyt Racing with Benjamin Pedersen, who finished fifth in the 2022 Indy Lights standings. The team has yet to specify the number for Pedersen’s entry, which will be fielded out of its Indianapolis race shop.

Foyt’s two full-time drivers last season were Dalton Kellett and Kyle Kirkwood, who is moving to Andretti Autosport.