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How Bell Racing Helmets make the perfect Formula E lid

NEWS 24 Apr 2025 3 Mins

Bell Racing supplied the helmets for not only Formula E Evo Sessions, but also the majority of the current Formula E grid. Here's what make their helmets the lid of choice.

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"The helmet is often seen as an aesthetic item with eye-catching colors, but its main purpose is protection," says Stephane Cohen, Head of Bell Racing Helmets and Co-CEO of Racing Force Group.

This foundational principle is the bedrock upon which the Bell HP77 is built, a helmet that dominates the Formula E circuit. In a sport where split-second decisions are commonplace and high-impact collisions are in some instances the result of unavoidable racing incidents, safety is one thing that can't be taken for granted or in any way compromised.

The HP77, adhering to the formidable FIA 8860-2018 ABP standard, is more than just an expression of a driver's character and creativity. "Regardless of whether the wearer is a professional driver, amateur, or celebrity, safety levels must remain consistent."

This ethos is reflected in its design: a narrower eyeport, reinforced with ballistic materials, offers superior debris protection, a critical advantage in the tight confines of Formula E racing. The helmet's ability to withstand extreme forces is validated by stringent FIA testing, encompassing impact, crushing, penetration, ballistic impacts, and flammability, demonstrating its capacity to absorb up to 275G in impacts.

"This advanced helmet features a narrower eyeport with ballistic materials for better debris protection." This is one of the many features that make the HP77 a leader in safety technology. But safety does not mean bulk. Its lightweight carbon fibre shell minimizes neck strain and maximizes driver comfort, a crucial consideration for both seasoned professionals and participants in events like Evo Sessions, "especially beneficial when the grid was filled with talent who weren't necessarily trained, professional drivers - as at Evo Sessions.

"Additionally, an advanced ventilation system ensured further comfort." Even in the hot, sweaty cockpit, optimal airflow and temperature regulation are maintained for the wearer, contributing to driver focus and performance - the helmet's an integral component of a driver’s arsenal, balancing safety, comfort, and performance with precision.

Beyond Protection: The Driver's Eye

Formula E pioneered the integration of the "Driver's Eye" camera, a small, high-definition lens embedded within the helmet's lining that gives fans watching on TV the same view the drivers see out of their visor on-track. This immersive innovation - produced by Racing Force Group, the same umbrella company as Bell Racing Helmets - provides viewers with an unprecedented, first-person perspective of the race, capturing the driver's focus, reactions, and the sheer intensity of the competition - all from the inner lining of the drivers' helmet.

This technology, seamlessly incorporated into the helmet's design, adds a new dimension to the viewing experience, bridging the gap between the driver and the audience, while still maintaining the helmet's primary protective function.

The integration of this technology showcases how the HP77 is not only a safety device but also a tool for enhancing fan engagement.

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 Monaco E-Prix Rounds 6 and 7

For the first time, Formula E will host a double-header around the famed Monaco streets, with racing kicking off on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 2025 - there is set to be action in abundance!

View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.