Before 2007, uvex sports was active in motorcycle racing. Helmets, protective clothing, goggles – everything that could protect riders from the risks on two wheels. From 2007 onwards, uvex safety joined in and entered the world of automobile racing. The aim was to showcase the brand in an environment where speed, precision and safety come together. At the same time, Heckel was to cover the off-road sector so that both brands could retain their own identity.
The involvement ranged from Formula 1 and the DTM to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Nürburgring. Teams such as Red Bull Racing, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Aston Martin, Toyota, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Opel and BMW relied on uvex. Special helmets were developed for the drivers, and modified ski helmets were created for the pit crews. Added to this were driver suits, underwear and individual team clothing – safety from head to toe.
The successes were impressive: Formula 1 titles, DTM championships and victories in endurance racing. Outwardly, the commitment strengthened the brand image, but internally the value was often difficult to grasp.
In 2013, the active period in motorsport came to an end. The effort involved was considerable, not everyone was convinced, and so the project was discontinued.
Today, the motorsport phase remains a special chapter in uvex’s history. It shows how the brand was willing to take risks while always keeping one thing in focus: protecting people – on the racetrack just as much as in everyday life.
