From 2018 it will be compulsory for all classes within the FIM MotoGP World Championship to equip drivers’ racing suits with airbag systems. These must be worn by every long-term rider for every session and must be functional on the track. Wildcard drivers are the only exceptions, and substitute drivers are only exempt from the rule for their first two events. Thereafter, the same requirements and specifications apply to replacement driver suits as to permanent entrants.
SPECIFICATION – The airbag should at least cover and protect the shoulders and collarbone. Full or central back protection is optional. However, if a manufacturer decides on back protection, it must cover the entire spine. Small variations according to the specifics of each system are allowed, as are variations to suit the different morphology of each driver, but the same key areas and guidelines apply to each manufacturer.
Every airbag system must pass a series of tests to prove that it is fully compliant. The requirements range from battery and electronics to deployment and inflation times, with accidental triggering also being an important factor. Accidental deployment of the airbag must not cause an accident or prevent a rider from controlling his motorcycle. In addition, airbag systems must not require any attachments on the motorcycle and must be triggered without the driver being connected to the motorcycle. Each manufacturer must use the official documentation for the suit to certify that their system fully complies with the regulations and achieves these standards. They also need to explain the reliability of their system based on internal tests.