The idea of a helmet used to be about recognition; about association with a driver. As a result of the sponsorhsip influence in F1, helmet designs are going to be how they were. I've seen somewhere on this forum that Hamilton's helmet design was the influence of Senna, and that Senna's design was a generic (Irvine used it in F3 if I recall?)
As I see it, helmet designs tend to be with a white band above the brow because thats where the teams need sponsors to go, so most designs can do that. Ferrari probably wanted to do the tests in all red, but sponsorship ment the white band stayed.
Being a Williams fan, before the 2010 season started I was concerned about identification. Hulkenbergs scheme had Orange around the visor, and Barrichello had Red. In that respect I can understand Rubens changing his colours, to suit the team without removing his identity to his helmet livery.
RBR don't need it, because they've taken a different approach by using the side. The place that we now tend to look at for identification. Vettel could make himself a unique helmet by being bold elsewhere on the helmet (which tbh I think he's tried by studding the whole darn thing), but then I've never heard of someone naming his chassis' before, so I guess he's making up for it.
I admittedly like the fact the Massa/Alonso helmet is Ferrari Scarlet rather than Schumacher Red.
_________________________________________________
Williams' Wonders: Jones, K.Rosberg, Piquet, Mansell, Prost, Senna, Hill, Villeneuve, .....?