Reigning champion joins F1-inspired effort to accelerate dementia research – and will race in Canada with a one-off helmet inspired by brain science.
Lando Norris has teamed up with Race Against Dementia – the charity founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE to bring the Formula 1 mindset to dementia research. Dementia scientists are paired with experts from Formula 1 to help accelerate learning and decision-making.
“In Formula 1, you are always learning and constantly relying on quick thinking, communication and decision-making,” Norris said. “Knowing Jackie and hearing how openly he speaks about the impact dementia has had on Helen, their family and others around them has really highlighted how many people this affects. Supporting Race Against Dementia felt important because of that, and hopefully this can help raise awareness and support the work being done to drive progress forward.”
The two generations of racing champions will come together to raise awareness of dementia, connect fans to the charity’s mission and spotlight the researchers fuelling scientific breakthroughs.
Norris will mark the collaboration at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix with a one-off Bell Racing helmet drawing on ideas around synapses – the tiny connections that allow brain cells to communicate. The concept was developed with Race Against Dementia Fellow Dr Maura Malpetti.
“As soon as the visor goes down, your brain is processing huge amounts of information,” Norris said. “You’re reacting and adapting constantly. Learning more about how the brain works, and the impact dementia can have on those connections, helped shape the whole look of the helmet. Hopefully it helps start conversations and makes something people can’t always see feel more understandable and real.”
“Synapses are fundamental to how the brain communicates and functions,” Malpetti said. “In dementia, those connections become damaged. Seeing those ideas translated into something so bold and energetic has been fascinating.”
Sir Jackie Stewart OBE said the design captured the creativity Race Against Dementia wants to encourage.
“Racing helmets have played a large part in my life.” Stewart said. “However, none of my helmets were designed with such a serious message attached to them. Lando and Maura have found a way to express some very complicated ideas with real imagination and personality. I’m grateful to Lando for embracing Race Against Dementia with such enthusiasm.”
Notes to Editors
For press enquires, contact Becky Newmarch at press@raceagainstdementia.com.
Imagery is available here. Lando and helmet images credit Ash Bibby.
Mark Stewart, Chair of Race Against Dementia and son of Sir Jackie Stewart, will be available for interview.
About Race Against Dementia
Race Against Dementia was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE following his wife Helen’s diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia.
The charity funds dementia research around the world while pairing researchers with leaders from Formula 1, engineering and technology. Its approach focuses on improving collaboration, accelerating learning and helping researchers make faster decisions on better information.
Since 2016, Race Against Dementia has committed more than £20 million to dementia research, supporting researchers and projects across five continents.
Dementia is a global crisis. If nothing is done, one in three people born today will develop the disease. Race Against Dementia is racing to change that.