Diamond-encrusted steering wheels for McLaren 12 May 2010
McLaren team mates Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton will race at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix with individually crafted Steinmetz diamond crests on the steering wheels of their Formula One cars. The diamond crests will celebrate the world championship success of Button in 2009 and Hamilton in 2008, as the two drivers race around the streets of Monte-Carlo.
The steering wheels, which are manufactured from carbon fibre by the team, have been customised by Steinmetz master craftsmen using beautifully cut white diamonds. Both drivers will also wear special helmets, which also feature the Steinmetz world championship diamond crest.
“It’s fantastic that Steinmetz is celebrating our world championship victories by incorporating unique diamond crests into the centre of our steering wheels,” said Hamilton. “They look absolutely incredible and add a real bit of bling to the cars. I won at Monaco in 2008 wearing a Steinmetz diamond-studded helmet, so I’m hoping it will bring me luck again this year.”
Steinmetz’s marketing director, Lior Levin, added: “We are delighted to be back in Monaco, to celebrate the most prestigious race of the Formula One season with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Steinmetz is back in Monaco for our eighth season and we couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate the occasion than working on a unique collaboration with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. We look forward to a fantastic race on Sunday and hope the Steinmetz diamond crafted steering wheels will prove to be lucky for the drivers.”
The steering wheels and helmets were officially unveiled at Monaco’s exclusive Villa la Vigie on Wednesday.
