Bahrain's F1 helmet factory - in pictures

  • Bahrain, a Formula One Grand Prix host, is also the home of a manufacturer of drivers' helmets. All photos: AFP
    Bahrain, a Formula One Grand Prix host, is also the home of a manufacturer of drivers' helmets. All photos: AFP
  • Bell Racing Helmets are made at a factory run by Racing Force Group in Sakhir, close to the Grand Prix circuit
    Bell Racing Helmets are made at a factory run by Racing Force Group in Sakhir, close to the Grand Prix circuit
  • More than 45,000 helmets were produced there last year, said RFG's Bahrain managing director Aref Yazbeck
    More than 45,000 helmets were produced there last year, said RFG's Bahrain managing director Aref Yazbeck
  • During the 2023 Formula One season, 14 out of 20 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, wore helmets made in Sakhir for the Bahrain GP, said Mr Yazbeck
    During the 2023 Formula One season, 14 out of 20 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, wore helmets made in Sakhir for the Bahrain GP, said Mr Yazbeck
  • A competitive tax system and exemptions on custom fees for certain imports makes Bahrain 'the best choice' for helmet production, he said
    A competitive tax system and exemptions on custom fees for certain imports makes Bahrain 'the best choice' for helmet production, he said
  • 'One of the main reasons of moving to Bahrain is the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Bahrain,' he said. 'This is very important for us because more than 55 percent of our manufacturing is shipped to the US.'
    'One of the main reasons of moving to Bahrain is the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Bahrain,' he said. 'This is very important for us because more than 55 percent of our manufacturing is shipped to the US.'
  • Inside the factory, workers in grey T-shirts test the helmets for safety
    Inside the factory, workers in grey T-shirts test the helmets for safety
  • Others polish and paint the exterior of the helmets before packing them for export to more than 80 countries worldwide
    Others polish and paint the exterior of the helmets before packing them for export to more than 80 countries worldwide
  • It takes 14 days to make each helmet
    It takes 14 days to make each helmet
  • 'It's a handmade product, it's craftsmanship,' said Mr Yazbeck
    'It's a handmade product, it's craftsmanship,' said Mr Yazbeck
  • The burnt 2020 F1 Bell helmet of Haas's Swiss-French racing driver Romain Grosjean on display at the HQ
    The burnt 2020 F1 Bell helmet of Haas's Swiss-French racing driver Romain Grosjean on display at the HQ
  • The sprawling complex was set up in 2015 as part of a move by Racing Force SPA to centralise production
    The sprawling complex was set up in 2015 as part of a move by Racing Force SPA to centralise production
  • The factory will almost double in size this year under an expansion scheme
    The factory will almost double in size this year under an expansion scheme