Going the Distance
The legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, for which Rolex is the official timepiece for 20 years running, is a gruelling contest of speed and endurance that pushes man and machine to their limits
When Ferrari chairman
John Elkann waves the flag at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France on August 21, he will be unleashing a pack of 62 cars from different marques and of various specifications. But the common thread that runs through them? Each team’s ability to push their limits, their determination to last the race and the desire to win the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world, Le Mans represents one pillar of the triple crown of motor sport—the unofficial description by fans for the three most important races on the calendar—together with Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix. While most races determine the winner by the car that completes the total distance in the shortest time, the chequered flag at Le Mans is grabbed by the team that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours. This means that this is a test of speed and endurance, as well as the cars’ ability to run for 24 hours non-stop without mechanical failure. The team’s ability to manoeuvre under various conditions plays a huge part too.
“Le Mans demands the very highest levels of preparation and performance from drivers, teams and cars, which is echoed in Rolex’s culture and pursuit of perfection,” says retired Danish racing driver Tom Kristensen, a nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, who is also a Rolex Testimonee. (A Rolex Testimonee is one who represents success in his or her field and echoes the same qualities as the Swiss watchmaker.)
“It is the greatest race to be part of and it is so different every year. When you finish the race, or even if you have to retire, you always come away with something new to overcome and conquer.”
The legendary Dane explains that he finds the journey to victory more significant than the achievement itself, which explains why he was back at Le Mans challenging himself year after year from 1997 to 2014—a clear representation of the Rolex Testimonee spirit to strive for excellence through constant dedication and continuous improvement.
This year marks Rolex’s
21st edition serving as the official timepiece for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing forms an integral and significant link to its long-lasting relationship with motor sport. The alliance was born on the back of Malcolm Campbell’s world land speed record successes in the 1930s. The British driver became the first to smash the 300 mph (483 km/h) speed
barrier, and the Rolex timepiece he wore while driving came through unscathed—a feat that he personally observed and duly wrote a letter to the watchmaker as a gesture of appreciation. Since then, Rolex has expanded its support for motor sport by inking partnerships with races such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Formula One; prominent and talented drivers such as Kristensen, Jackie Stewart and Mark Webber; as well as classic automotive events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’elegance and Goodwood Revival.
Last year, the No 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing team emerged victorious at Le Mans. Can the team repeat the feat, making it a fourth consecutive win for Toyota Gazoo? But the competition has gotten more intense this year with the introduction of five hypercars. Racing in their path to glory are American team
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and French marque Alpine. The former’s new 007 Le Mans Hypercar has shown promising results recently, while the latter is looking to replicate its successes in the lower categories of endurance racing at Le Mans.
“This year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans enters a new era. The introduction of hypercars promises to bring even more spine-tingling action to the endurance racetrack,” says Pierre Fillon, the president of Automobile Club de l’ouest—the organiser of Le Mans.
“In these challenging times, this number is a strong signal that our discipline is more appealing than ever before.”