08/09/2025
Valentino Rossi crossing the finish line at the Spanish GP500, Jerez, Spain, 2001.
Why Valentino Rossi's Signature Yellow fluorescent?
In the past, Rossi has frequently cited Kevin Schwantz as one of his favorite riders. Valentino raced in the minibikes with the helmet of Kevin Schwantz who was my rider, I also designed the world champion helmet,” said Aldo Drudi (Rossi's Helmet designer). “If you remember behind that helmet there was a fluorescent yellow flash, the fluorescent colors had exploded in those years.”
“Always the fluo,” added Drudi. “He even, if you remember, the first year of 500, he had a Honda livery that I had designed with a normal yellow but Valentino wanted fluorescent on the suit and helmet, as you can see in the photos. It's a bit of the same problem that exists this year on the VR46 bike with two different yellows."