1999 Mika Salo Signed Race Used BAR Honda Bell Feuling II F1 Helmet

This Bell Feuling II helmet was worn in races by Mika Salo in the 1999 Formula One season while driving for the Lucky Strike/555 BAR Honda team.

The helmet was likely first used in 1998 before being converted to be used for the '99 season as Salo partnered Jacques Villeneuve while replacing the injured Ricardo Zonta. Amazingly, Salo kept using the helmet on and off until 2003 when he competed in four Champ Car races for PKV Racing.

Salo had a long, successful career in racing catching his big break in the British F3 Championship in 1989. In 1990 he finished second behind fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen in the final drivers standings. After a brief stint in the Japanese Formula 3000 championship, Salo entered F1 with Lotus, followed by stints with Tyrrell, Arrows and BAR.

However, a greater opportunity arose when Michael Schumacher broke his leg in a crash at the 1999 British Grand Prix and Salo was picked to replace him for two races. In the second race with Ferrari at the 1999 German Grand Prix, Salo led the race and would have scored his first GP win but team orders demanded that he give the lead to teammate Eddie Irvine, who at the time was fighting for the championship with Hakkinen.

Salo ended his F1 career with stints at Sauber and Toyota but would go onto greater success in many international sports car events. His relationship with Ferrari remained strong as he secured numerous victories including two at the 12 Hours of Sebring and two 24 Hours of Le Mans, plus the 2007 American Le Mans Series championship.

This Bell helmet comes directly from Salo's personal collection and is hand signed by him.

The helmet comes with a Certificate Of Authenticity.