The FIA World Endurance Championship, the pinnacle of long-distance racing, has opened its 2026 season with Bell Racing helmets once again leading the way on every front. The campaign began at the 6 Hours of Imola, where more than 50% of the drivers on the grid competed wearing Bell helmets: 33 of 51 entrants in Hypercar, and 26 of 54 in LMGT3. Numbers that confirm the competitiveness of our HP7 carbon-fibre helmet, delivering sportscar aces exceptional comfort and ventilation, together with the latest advances in safety technology.
Beyond this numerical dominance, the opening round in Italy also brought immediate success on track. Seven of the nine drivers standing on the overall Hypercar podium at Imola were equipped with Bell Racing helmets, starting with race winners Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley. For Buemi, the triumph marked his 27th career FIA WEC victory, extending his record as the most successful driver in the championship’s top-class history. For Hartley, it was also a special debut for a unique helmet design hand-painted by his daughter Paige.
Our walk through the paddock at Imola was also a chance to appreciate the remarkable variety of helmet liveries throughout the field. More than simply a protection device, each helmet is an expression of creativity and personality, showcasing the individuality of racers and the artistry behind them.
Among Bell-equipped drivers finishing on the Hypercar podium were also Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, who claimed P2 for Ferrari AF Corse after Giovinazzi had taken pole position in Saturday’s qualifying. On the other hand, Mike Conway and Nyck de Vries also celebrated a P3 in a race that proved to be exciting until the chequered flag.
Our brand’s presence was equally strong in LMGT3, where the podium was once again dominated by Bell Racing drivers. Victory went to Dan Harper and Parker Thompson of Team WRT, while Jonny Edgar and Nicky Catsburg finished second, and Yasser Shahin earned P3.
All of this without forgetting the many other helmets present throughout the paddock: those worn by mechanics during pit-stop operations in the pit lane, where crucial moments can shape the outcome of a race just as much as performance on track, in a blend of strategy and flawless execution.
The next FIA WEC round, the 6 Hours of Spa, takes place on May 9 ahead of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 13–14, where Bell Racing will once again target success on endurance racing’s biggest event.
