Daniel Ricciardo has promised a ‘funky’ helmet design for the new Formula 1 season after running a test livery on his own head during the pre-season.

The West Australian wore a pastel-coloured helmet which even carried the word ‘test’ during the two tests in Barcelona.

However, he says that the design which he will race with at Albert Park, for which an Australian artist has been commissioned, will be something out of the ordinary.

“This helmet has got a bit of coverage, so this has been a ‘test’ concept if you want to call it,” said Ricciardo.

“But I’ve been working with an Australian artist, and he has been working on it for quite a few months.

“It will come out in Melbourne, but it is certainly going to be different. It is not going to be traditional and typical with a halo and lines that mean nothing.

“I am trying to get away from the typical helmet these days, so it should be funky. It is kind of artistic in a modern way.”

A long-time member of the Red Bull system, Ricciardo is even more eager to kick off the season at home than usual.

“There is something pretty awesome in starting the season at home,” he said.

“There is added excitement behind that. For me I like being in Australia, period. It is a nice country.

“We had quite a big break since Abu Dhabi (2018 final round), it was a long time in which you don’t really compete, so just to compete on home soil is cool.

“And going now with a new team and arriving there with a new team that is another added bit of excitement. It is good to get started, I think.”

The Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix takes place on March 14-17 with F1 cars to roll out for Practice 1 on the Friday.