Lando Norris is running a special one-off crash helmet design at the Canadian Grand Prix for fellow Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart’s dementia charity.

On Thursday in Montreal, Norris revealed a split-design crash helmet based on the concept of synapses - the neural connections fundamental to how the brain works - and the damage done to them by dementia.  

“The design is in two halves,” said Norris, whose merchandise shop is also making mini versions of the design with all profits going directly to Race Against Dementia.

“One side shows a healthy brain and the other side shows a brain affected by synaptic loss.”

Different forms of dementia damage different parts of the brain, impacting memory, thinking, communication and decision-making, with symptoms getting worse over time.

The helmet design concept was developed with Race Against Dementia Fellow Dr Maura Malpetti.

Three-time F1 world champion Stewart founded Race Against Dementia after his wife Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

"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," said Norris.

Stewart's standing in F1 is such that the championship and its drivers regularly lend their support to the charity and various initiatives.

It funds dementia research and has committed more than £20million since 2016.

“Racing helmets have played a large part in my life,” said Stewart.

“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.”