After brilliantly overcoming the obstacles imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, OMP has consolidated its primary role in the motorsport safety industry, continuing to protect and help the top names win, together with the other Racing Force Group brands.
In 2023, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT claimed its fifth consecutive drivers' title in the World Rally Championship, and its fourth for manufacturers in six years, always relying on OMP's partnership. In the WRC, it has become a pleasing habit to witness podium clean-sweeps by drivers equipped by the Italian brand, thanks also to the other prestigious partnership entered into with Hyundai Motorsport. Since 2022, when Rally1 technical ruleset was introduced, OMP has contributed to the conquest of 22 victories out of 26 available.
OMP is now working with another racing legend in 9-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi. After ending his MotoGP career, The Doctor, as he’s nicknamed, did not want to rest, embarking on a full-time program in GT3 racing. To tackle it, the Doctor chose to use OMP racewear and Bell helmets, underlining the synergies within Racing Force. In 2023, in his second full season in the hard-fought GT World Challenge Europe series, Valentino celebrated his first victory, teaming up with Maxime Martin. Doing this at his home circuit in Misano made it all even more special.
OMP's 50th anniversary year also coincided with another world championship triumph. Envision Racing, using the racewear for drivers Nick Cassidy and Sébastien Buemi, celebrated the Formula E Teams’ title at the end of an exciting campaign. A couple of months later, Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson extended his FIA World Rallycross Championship domination, in another category with full-electric cars.
International-level partnerships in so many disciplines, like Formula 1, IndyCar, or the World Endurance Championship, bring silverware and prestige, making the OMP palmarès richer and richer. However, it is perhaps even more incredible to think how, every weekend, somewhere in the world there is always a driver wearing an OMP suit, gloves, shoes, or there’s a racing car in action with OMP safety components, whether it is on gravel special stages or on tracks. It doesn’t matter if it’s about supplying a team competing in a world championship, or an amateur kart driver who just wants to have fun; OMP has helped make safety in motorsport a democratic idea, transferring the experience gained in major competitions to the benefit of everyday customers.
It looks like a film story, which began, as you may remember, on the rails of a train station. Speaking again of cinema things, OMP is now involved in the making of another Formula 1 movie. The film is being produced by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, together with director Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckenheimer. The cast includes two-time Academy Awards winner Brad Pitt. OMP, together with sister brands Bell Racing Helmets and Racing Spirit, has been chosen to supply the race clothing, helmets and team uniforms for the fictional characters on which the plot will be focused. A truly coordinated team project, confirming what Racing Force is becoming.
Still in 2023, the renovation project of the Ronco Scrivia headquarters was launched. The building will be enlarged from 8000 to 12000 square meters, to support the increase in production and logistical storage required by OMP’s expansion across the globe.