The recently released McLaren Formula 1 Team helmet sets introduce a noticeable shift in how driver minifigures are presented, and there is a reason behind it.
43017 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team Oscar Piastri Helmet and 43023 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team Lando Norris Helmet were officially released on June 3, joining 43014 Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc Helmet and 43022 Scuderia Ferrari HP Lewis Hamilton Helmet as Formula 1 helmet sets. However, there is a key difference between the McLaren and Ferrari releases despite launching a month apart: the minifigures.
In both Ferrari sets, the drivers appear in full, iconic Ferrari race gear. By contrast, the McLaren sets depict Piastri and Norris in casual, pre-race clothing.
This difference comes down to design intent and driver involvement. The Ferrari helmets represent standard race-day gear, so the minifigures reflect that with traditional racing suits.
The McLaren helmets, however, were developed in collaboration with both drivers as special-edition designs celebrating McLaren’s 1,000th Formula 1 race.
Both Piastri and Norris will wear these bespoke helmets at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. As part of that collaboration, they also had input into how their minifigures were represented.
Rather than opting for race suits, both drivers chose outfits that reflect their personalities.
Oscar Piastri’s minifigure features a distinctly Australian look: a shirt with a kangaroo motif, shorts, and flip-flops. The design includes dual-moulded arms and legs, along with printed detailing to represent the footwear.
Lando Norris’s minifigure draws inspiration from the outfit he wore at last year’s Monaco Grand Prix. It features a black leather jacket and bright white shoes, referencing the look he wore during McLaren’s first Monaco victory since 2008.
While many will appreciate the more personal, casual direction of the McLaren minifigures, others may still prefer traditional McLaren orange race suits and hope to see future sets return to full racing gear.
43017 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team Oscar Piastri Helmet, 43023 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team Lando Norris Helmet, 43014 Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc Helmet, and 43022 Scuderia Ferrari HP Lewis Hamilton Helmet are all available now for £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99.
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