pilots' helmets, more than protection, a standard

“It’s a bit of the +mojo+ of the drivers, which really represents them”: an essential element of protection for MotoGP riders, the helmet has become a standard for asserting one's style and standing out from one's opponents.

The helmet is so important in the premier category of motorcycling that drivers even come with it during press conferences and display it next to them like a trophy, which is not the case in Formula 1 for example.

“It is the most personal element of a pilot, much more than the suit. It’s the only thing I can personalize so it’s very important to me”explains Frenchman Fabio Quartararo to AFP.

“Every year I think we make more and more beautiful helmets, more and more personalized, special editions, these are things that I like. I think it's a super personal element and one that really embodies the image of the pilot.”adds the 2021 world champion.

Nicknamed «The Devil»the Niçois proudly displays a devil's head on the upper part of his helmet and his favorite number 20 personalized with devil horns.

« Fashionistas »

Over time, the helmet has almost become a fashion accessory, especially among the younger generation of pilots.

“Some people are real fashionistas so they want their helmet to be trendy. But above all, the drivers want it to be as different from the others as possible. They want the helmet to best express who they are, they really want to convey something through it”lists to AFP Michaël Rivoire, who has worked in the paddock for 16 years for the Japanese brand Shoei.

“It is therefore important to respond as closely as possible to their requests. There are pilots who know exactly what they want, who manage to transcribe it very well. For example, Marc Marquez, with whom I have worked for fifteen years, always knows exactly what he wants, how it should be drawn. But this is not the case for everyone”adds the talkative Frenchman, one of the personalities of the paddock.

Michaël Rivoire therefore spends hours during the off-season discussing with the drivers, their teams and thus transmitting their wishes as precisely as possible to the designers and painters responsible for creating what could be compared to a unique work of art.

Wacky requests

One of the riders he teams up in MotoGP, however, saves him precious time: the Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio creates all his designs himself and therefore creates all the decoration of his helmets, a personal source of pride.

Sometimes, Michaël Rivoire, who also takes care of young Moto2 and Moto3 riders, has to refuse certain crazy requests. “Once, the motives were too religious and we are not here to proselytize. Another wanted a naked woman on his helmet so that wasn't possible. Once, even though it was ugly, we granted the request of a driver who wanted to put a paella on his helmet during the last race in Valencia” he lists.

Some pilots, however, remain more conventional regarding the design of their helmets, which are mainly made of fiberglass, weigh around 1.4 kg and cost almost 1000 euros.

“Before I attached a lot of importance to design, much less now because everything moves too quickly and you have to change your decor often to try to make sales”explains to AFP the experienced Frenchman Johann Zarco, who is competing in his eighth season in MotoGP and works with a French brand, Shark.

“I'm happy when my helmet is beautiful but I know that it won't affect my result and with time, you remove superstitions”he emphasizes.