Meet Ghada Al Suwaidi The Qatari Artist Behind F1 Driver Pierre Gasly's Helmet Design

While the F1 spotlight on Qatar normally arrives in the latter half of the year, with the penultimate race taking place in Doha annually, there’s one Qatari creative who’s been harnessing her talent for a specific driver.

As of late, F1 driver Pierre Gasly was seen sporting a helmet thoughtfully designed by Qatari artist Ghada Al Suwaidi. The helmet was featured as part of the Years of Culture programme for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal – celebrating the long-established connection between Qatar and Canada.

As an artist, Al Suwaidi is famously known for her multidisciplinary approach, seamlessly moving between murals, illustrations and digital art. Her work extends beyond the limits of a canvas – prevailing across artistic boundaries. Within her works, she’s known to incorporate themes of everyday life in Qatar, using visual memory to invoke nostalgia in the form of contemporary art.

The design for Gasly blends the figure of an oryx and a moose as well as a maple leaf. The oryx is widely known as the national animal of Qatar, acting as a symbol of resilience, heritage and adaptability.

Similarly, the moose and maple leaf are the national motifs of Canada. Both symbols are largely representative of the nation’s connections to indigenous and ecological heritage. The design choice is anything but coincidental, as the symbolic nature of this pairing runs deep, acting as a visual representation of the strength of the connection between the two nations.