In Buriram, everyone was watching the lap times. Almost no one was looking at… the helmets. And yet, an unusual detail stood out to anyone who carefully observed the shape of the shells or the absence of certain logos. Several riders were wearing "camouflaged" helmets due to the new FIM 2 homologation, which will become mandatory in 2026. Among the most visible cases: Francesco Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini, and Diogo Moreira…
No breach of contract. No split with sponsors. But an implacable regulatory reality: the models stipulated in their agreements were not yet officially homologated according to the new FIM 2 standard.
Result: bagnaia, sponsored by Suomy, used a helmet attributed to Alpinestars. bastianini, linked to KYT, was riding with a model that strongly resembled an Arai. MoreiraHe, too, sponsored by KYT, appeared to be wearing a Shark.
The liveries were retained so as not to create a visual shock, but the hull told a different story.
Starting this season, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme requires only helmets approved according to the standard FIM 2.
The mystery of the "optical illusion" helmets
And this standard isn't just a simple administrative adjustment. It introduces more stringent impact tests, lower limits on the force transmitted to the brain, particular attention to rotational acceleration, now considered a major factor in head injuries, stricter controls on the visor locking system, and a unique QR code for each helmet, registered and traceable… After a significant fall, the helmet is immediately marked as "damaged" and can no longer be used. No more room for interpretation.
For manufacturers, the transition to FIM 2 This represents a major technical and logistical challenge. Each model must undergo a complete homologation process and be officially registered before being allowed on the track. The slightest delay prevents its use. In the middle of the season. In MotoGP.
The pilots concerned therefore had to adapt urgently, sometimes changing technical suppliers while maintaining visual consistency with their sponsors.
This weekend in Thailand has been scrutinized for its sporting upheavals. Yet, perhaps it is the helmets that best symbolize the current evolution of MotoGP: a discipline where safety is becoming ultra-scientific, almost surgical.
In one championnat where motorcycles exceed 350 km/h, the slightest improvement in impact management can make the difference between a simple fall… and a serious injury.
Fans have seen Aprilia dominate. They saw Ducati They saw it waver. They saw it falter. Yamaha to suffer. But behind the scenes, another revolution was already underway. Invisible, mandatory. Irrevocable.
