Heikki Kovalainen To Sport Angry Birds Helmet In This Year's F1

Remember when Angry Birds was nothing but another game on the App Store looking to make it big? It might be harder than you first think, what with the 59p App exploding in popularity, winging its way into the heart of millions and earning billions in the process. Angry Birds merchandise is everywhere; from branded kitchen-ware, to felt iPad cases, irresistibly cute plush toys, playing cards, backpacks, lunchboxes… There are even plans to open an at a theme park in the developer’s homeland Finland this summer.

Likewise, we've seen some spectacular leather and helmet designs in our time; whether bearing witness to another of Rossi's attempts to lighten the mood in the MotoGP paddock, or seeing film-marketing infiltrate motorsport in the form of Makato Tamada's Batman-themed livery at Assen in 2005 to promote Batman Begins. And yet, Heikki Kovalainen's Angry Birds helmet might well top them all still, a bright-red loving tribute to the game's most recognisable angered avian specimen, complete with tinted red visor.

Not keen on passing up the opportunity to advertise on one of the biggest stages in the world or indeed shy away from the chance to make itself known amongst the drivers, constructors and spectators of the F1 GP, Kovalainen's get-up is the result of Rovio sponsoring the Caterham F1 team for the 2012 season which kicks off this weekend in Melbourne. Meanwhile, the developer is currently in the run-up to releasing a brand-new Angry Birds game, Angry Birds Space, due out on 22nd March. As well as the familiar three-star rating system returning, the game is also set to star entirely new birds, as well as a few familiar faces (or should that be beaks...).