24 Hours of Le Mans 2019 – Fast Facts:
- After 24 hours of competition at the 8.467 mi Circuit de la Sarthe, it was the No. 8 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing that took victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2019.
- The record-breaking 61-car field that started the 87th edition of this historic endurance challenge, demonstrated the durability and robustness of the modern sports car.
- Rolex has championed 24-hour racing since the 1960s, recognizing the on-going quest for engineering excellence and precision.
- The Swiss watch brand has been the Official Timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001.
- The No. 8, driven by Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso, secured back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans titles and the 2018-2019 FIA World Endurance LMP Drivers’ Championship.
- This edition marked the first time the 24 Hours of Le Mans hosted the season finale of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Over the course of 86 hours of driving across six countries and 14 months, the WEC witnessed incredible technical developments across the field as the teams continuously closed the competitive gap to one another.
- Rolex Testimonee and record nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Tom Kristensen remarks: “This weekend has illustrated the rollercoaster of emotions at Le Mans – we have experienced the thrill of close racing, as well as the anguish of untimely reliability issues. The race demands absolute perseverance and durability from both human and machine in their shared pursuit of the ultimate performance.”
- Presented to the overall winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a specially engraved Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona.
ROLEX AND MOTORSPORT
Rolex’s close ties with motorsport date back to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s World Land Speed Record successes in the 1930s, when he became the first driver to break the 300 mph barrier (483 km/h) at the wheel of his car Bluebird. Since then, Rolex’s presence in motor racing has grown steadily, its support extending to revered endurance events, such as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. In 2013, Rolex became associated with Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motorsport, having supported Rolex Testimonee Sir Jackie Stewart since 1968. The brand also has a global appreciation for classic car events steeped in elegance, beauty and tradition, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Goodwood Revival.
ABOUT ROLEX
AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE
Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 500 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, Rolex is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
