18 year-old PUMA driver Aurelia Nobels is gearing up for the 2025 F1 Academy season finale in Las Vegas. In just a few weeks, the young Brazilian will take the track for the final time in her F1 Academy career, marking the end of her journey in the series. After finishing 12th overall with 29 points last year, Nobels currently sits 13th in the Drivers’ Standings with 10 points as she heads into the season’s closing round.
Born in the United States to Belgian parents and raised in Brazil, the PUMA driver proudly represents all three nations on the global motorsports page but races under the Brazilian flag — joining the ranks of rising Brazilian talents like Gabriel Bortoleto and Rafael Câmara. Reflecting on her unique background, Nobels shared the personal significance of featuring the America, Belgian and Brazilian flags on her helmet.
“On all of my helmets, I have these three flags,”
“I think it represents me really well. So I born in the US, my family’s from Belgium and I grew up in Brazil. So I really like this part, it’s my favourite one. The three flags, I love it. I think it represents me really well and in Brazil everyone knows me because of this.”
Changes made over the years
Backed by PUMA for the past two years in F1 Academy and a proud member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Nobels revealed the story behind the prominent red featured on her helmet: “I really like red, so most of my helmets are red and I wanted to do something aggressive. Then behind [on the back], there’s my logo with an ‘AN’ and ‘Trust The Timing’. It’s something I really believe in and this is new. Last year, I didn’t have it so I added it this year. Then my sponsors and Ferrari.”
The 18 year-old shared that her updated helmet design features meaningful personal touches that include things like her personal motto, a new logo, a touch of gold glitter and a carbon-style black finish inspired by the look of her car.
“The flags were always there and I added the ‘Trust The Timing’ and Aurelia Nobels logo on the back as I didn’t have it before. Also, the glitter — I don’t know if you can see it but there is some gold. I think it’s really cool, so I added it as well. (The black) It has a carbon effect, like the car, so I left it like this.”
A helmet is a driver’s identity
For many drivers, helmets serve as one of the few aspects of racing where drivers can freely express their individuality and creativity. To Nobels, she highlighted how helmets play a vital role in helping fans identify drivers and serve as a personal trademark on track.
“I think it’s really important for the fans because they can’t really see you very well (when you’re in the car), so the helmets help them to recognise the driver, with the livery of course. But when you’re in another series and the cars are the same, the helmet helps. It’s kind of your brand as a driver, it’s what represents you so each driver has their own design.”
“Bell makes my helmet and they designed it. I told them what I wanted and they did an amazing job. I just love it!”
