Custom Arai racing helmet painting Newman Chi
The Project
| 📋 Specifications: | Arai GP-7 |
|---|---|
| Official Driver | Newman Chi (Zhenrui Chi) (Aston Martin Driver Academy) |
| Base Paint | Metallic silver blue and deep black |
| Main Finish | High-Gloss clear coat with ultra protection |
| Graphic Accents | Chrome finishes and neon fluo orange accents |
| Design Integrity | 100% Hand-painted by Dia Design |
The Driver
Zhenrui Chi, widely known as Newman Chi, is one of the most exciting profiles in international motorsport. He began racing at age 5 in China, moving to Europe in 2019 to challenge the world’s best talents. His dedication and natural speed quickly made him a name to watch in the paddock, demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt to different tracks and conditions.
He quickly distinguished himself in international karting with a 3rd place at the Trofeo Delle Industrie (2021) and a prestigious 2nd place in the WSK Champions Cup (2022). His transition to single-seaters confirmed his potential: in 2025, with Prema Racing, he secured his first victory in the Italian F4 Championship at the legendary Monza circuit and achieved numerous podiums, finishing the season 5th overall. These results were not just about speed, but about a mature approach to race management.
In 2026, Newman officially joined the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme and teamed up with MP Motorsport for the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), marking a pivotal step toward the pinnacle of global motorsport. Being part of such a prestigious academy requires not only performance but also a professional image that reflects the brand’s values.
The Helmet Concept
For a driver of this caliber, the helmet must be the perfect synthesis of technical visibility and personal identity. The design created by Dia Design for Newman Chi supports his ascent toward Formula 1, balancing official academy elegance with the aggression needed to dominate on track. The visual language uses sharp, aerodynamic lines that follow the helmet’s ventilation system, enhancing its natural shape.
The color palette is carefully chosen to ensure high visibility both in the cockpit and in high-speed photographs. We integrated subtle textures and premium finishes that only reveal their complexity under direct sunlight, a signature move of Dia Design. The integration of the Aston Martin academy logos was handled with surgical precision to maintain the design’s fluidity without compromising brand requirements.
Technical Excellence & Craftsmanship
Every millimetre of this Arai helmet has been prepared and painted by hand in our laboratory. We used ultra-lightweight professional paints to ensure that the added weight of the customization is practically zero, a critical factor in high-performance categories like FRECA. The final clear coat is a high-gloss premium finish, designed to resist the impact of debris and maintain its brilliance throughout a demanding racing season.
The collaboration between Newman Chi and Dia Design is based on a shared vision: attention to detail as a tool for success. In a world where every thousandth of a second counts, having a helmet that makes you feel confident and represented is a psychological edge that every champion looks for.
