May 16 (GMM) As per usual on the glamorous streets of Monte Carlo, McLaren's two race drivers will wear diamond-studded helmets throughout the forthcoming Monaco grand prix weekend.

Lewis Hamilton, the 23-year-old British driver, gave his newly-sparkling yellow helmet the thumbs-up at a media event on Thursday to launch the diamond sponsor Steinmetz's Monaco promotion.

His and teammate Heikki Kovalainen's autographs are spelt out with hundreds of gems on their respective helmets for next Sunday's marquee race.

"Sometimes you get some of the nice quirks and bonuses and I guess this is it," Hamilton, who like Kovalainen will also receive a diamond ring, declared at McLaren's Woking factory.

It also emerged this week that Honda driver Jenson Button will wear a special helmet design penned by one of his fans at his home grand prix at Silverstone in July.