There are few stages in sport where legacy, engineering, and emotion collide as powerfully as they do at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each year, this legendary endurance race transforms the Circuit de la Sarthe into a theatre of speed and stamina, where seconds are measured not just in time, but in triumph. At the heart of this symphony of precision stands Rolex—timing not only every moment, but every movement, every milestone, every memory.
A Grid Stacked with Legacy and Promise
Among the 186 competitors lining up were two prominent Rolex Testimonees—2009 Formula 1® World Champion Jenson Button and trailblazer Jamie Chadwick. Button returned for his fourth Le Mans appearance in the Hypercar category, while Chadwick made her debut in the highly competitive LMP2 class with IDEC Sport, following historic victories in the European Le Mans Series earlier this year.
“Every racing driver dreams of competing at Le Mans, and now that dream is becoming my reality,” Chadwick said in the days leading up to the event. “To be racing at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe, where so much motorsport history has been written, is very exciting.”
Her excitement would soon meet the sobering challenge of the twice-around-the-clock test. Though she and her team showed early promise, their effort ended at dawn—an outcome she met with resilience: “It’s not the result we wanted but we’re incredibly proud and fully embraced the challenge.”
Ferrari’s Masterclass and the Unrelenting Pursuit of Victory
Under skies that shifted from golden light to pitch black and back again, the #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P executed a commanding performance to capture Ferrari’s third consecutive win at Le Mans. Porsche launched a daring first-lap overtake, but it was Ferrari who held control for the majority of the race. In the end, the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport secured second, cementing the German marque’s tenacity on the circuit.
Button’s Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA showed flashes of brilliance, ultimately finishing eighth—a result that sets the stage for the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship round in São Paulo.
Elsewhere on the leaderboard, the #43 Inter Europol Competition triumphed in the LMP2 class, and the #92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche led the LMGT3 category to victory.
The Emotional Core of Le Mans
Few individuals encapsulate the spirit of Le Mans like Tom Kristensen, the record-holding nine-time winner and a Rolex Testimonee for over 15 years. A revered figure at Circuit de la Sarthe, Kristensen reflected on this year’s outcome with characteristic insight: “This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans was fiercely competitive, and Ferrari delivered a composed, winning performance. Robert Kubica, Philip Hanson and Yifei Ye drove with control, and while the #6 Porsche challenged, it was a deserved win for AF Corse.”
He added, “Le Mans rewards performance – and they earned their place in history.”
In keeping with tradition, the overall winners were awarded a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. Kristensen shared: “Receiving a Rolex Daytona on the podium after displaying such dedication and perseverance is particularly memorable – the watch will forever tell the story of this very special race and moment. We carry a victory at Le Mans with pride for the rest of our lives and the same is true for the watch.”
More Than a Race: A Reflection of Rolex’s Philosophy
Rolex’s presence at Le Mans transcends sponsorship. It reflects a philosophy of perpetual excellence, born from the brand’s roots in timing legendary moments since the 1930s—when Sir Malcolm Campbell wore a Rolex while setting land speed records at Daytona Beach.
That spirit continues through Rolex’s deep affiliations with the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA, and the Triple Crown of Endurance Racing: the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The brand also supports premier heritage automotive events such as Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, The Quail, and the Goodwood Revival—each chosen as carefully as the mechanics inside a Rolex timepiece.
“Rolex has been so closely linked with motorsport for nearly a century,” Chadwick noted. “Its enduring presence at Le Mans reflects the brand’s deep respect for tradition and excellence.”
The Legacy Lives On
This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans wasn’t just another race—it was a meditation on endurance, legacy, and the human pursuit of greatness. Federer, Button, Chadwick, and Kristensen each contributed to a chapter written in grit, fuel, and fractional seconds. And through it all, Rolex stood as both witness and symbol—a quiet yet unyielding reminder that time is not simply kept, but earned.
In the world of high-performance, high-luxury, and high-stakes competition, Le Mans remains a place where heroes are made—and Rolex, as ever, remains timeless.