Lewis Hamilton challenges fans to design his new helmet

Lewis Hamilton declared he was on the look out for a dope new layout that evolves my current theme and features the candy apple red.

Lewis Hamilton has changed his helmet design several times over the years. (Source: AP)

Triple Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has challenged fans to design his race helmet for the new season starting in March.

The Mercedes driver launched the competition on Instagram on Thursday, declaring he was “on the look out for a dope new layout that evolves my current theme and features the candy apple red in my existing design.”

The 32-year-old Briton, who has 3.7 million Instagram followers, said he would meet the winning designer at one of the race tracks to hand over the prize of a full size signed replica.

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Hamilton, the clear pre-season favourite following the surprise retirement of German team mate and world champion Nico Rosberg last month, has changed his helmet design several times over the years.

In his early days and at McLaren, he raced with a yellow helmet in tribute to his boyhood idol Ayrton Senna, the late Brazilian triple champion. That changed when he moved to Mercedes in 2013.

🚨 NEW HELMET DESIGN WANTED!🚨Do you want to design my racing helmet for the upcoming F1 season? I will meet the winner personally at one of the tracks to present them with the prize of a full size signed replica helmet. I’m on the look out for a dope new layout that evolves my current theme and features the candy apple red in my existing design. I’ll be picking the design that I feel is the most stylish, inspiring, iconic and eye-catching. To enter, simply post your designs on your public Instagram account with the hashtag #LH44Design. Please use the helmet design template, link in bio. T&C’s: lewis.social/TCs @bellhelmetseurope @mercedesamgf1 @monsterenergy @bose @epsonf1 #TeamLH #Design

A photo posted by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Jan 26, 2017 at 9:04am PST

Under Formula One’s regulations, a driver’s helmet design must be substantially the same for the entire season — to ensure drivers can be distinguished easily — but one special version is allowed at a race of his choosing.

Testing starts at the end of February, while Mercedes are due to unveil the new car at Silverstone on Feb. 23 with the season starting in Australia on March 26.