Australian F1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo is paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant with his helmet as the new season kicks off ... showing off a design that would be Mamba-approved.
Ricciardo showed up for the opening of the Formula One preseason with an all-purple helmet ... and later on in the morning, had the design added to complete the NBA legend-inspired look.
The helmet has "KB8" and "KB24" below the visor ... as well as a snake and the words "Mamba Mentality" on top.
Ricciardo is a big NBA supporter and lives in L.