Rossi reveals 2018 MotoGP helmet design
Valentino Rossi has officially revealed his new helmet design for the 2018 MotoGP world championship fresh from confirming his new two-year Movistar Yamaha contract.
The nine-time world champion has created an annual event to reveal his new season helmet design, along with his designs for the winter tests and special edition helmets for his home races at Mugello and Misano, and his 2018 design shows off a measured and simplistic revamp of his iconic ‘Soleluna’ sun and moon motif which he has used since the beginning of his career.
Valentino Rossi has officially revealed his new helmet design for the 2018 MotoGP world championship fresh from confirming his new two-year Movistar Yamaha contract.
The nine-time world champion has created an annual event to reveal his new season helmet design, along with his designs for the winter tests and special edition helmets for his home races at Mugello and Misano, and his 2018 design shows off a measured and simplistic revamp of his iconic ‘Soleluna’ sun and moon motif which he has used since the beginning of his career.
“Valentino Rossi and legendary helmet designer, Aldo Drudi, collaborated to update the design of the AGV Pista GP R in a completely new and unique look compared to Rossi’s past helmet designs,” an AGV helmet release explained.
“The combination of technical support from AGV and design collaboration between Rossi and Drudi brings together the best of technology, safety and racing style.”
Speaking during the pre-event Qatar MotoGP press conference, Rossi says he was also inspired by the F1 helmet designs made famous in the 1970s and 1980s with a “less is more” approach.
“I changed it a lot as I wanted to try something more classic,” Rossi said. “I was inspired by the iconic Formula 1 helmets of the 1970s and 1980s and try to have less. I like the design and look forward to seeing it on the track.”
Rossi has signed a new two-year deal to stay in MotoGP until at least the end of the 2020 season with the factory Yamaha squad. The Italian’s new contract sees the Movistar Yamaha team lock down both Rossi and teammate Maverick Vinales for the next three seasons in the premier class of MotoGP.
