An unwavering presence in endurance racing since the 1960s, Rolex has kept time on moments that have come to define the sport and adorned the wrists of those who make history. From the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar Championship, the Swiss watchmaker supports the world’s leading races, series and drivers who exemplify perseverance and excellence at the highest level. As the Official Timepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship since 2016, Rolex was once again present to honour landmark achievements as the 2025 season reached its conclusion this weekend.
During the global series, a record 36 cars competed in eight races across four continents in 2025, with the championship celebrating its milestone 100th race. Conditions throughout the year tested the teams and drivers hour after hour as they mastered varying temperatures, tracks and distances. Ferrari AF Corse dominated the first half of the championship, taking victory in the opening three rounds before securing the jewel in the crown with a historic win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Momentum shifted mid-season as Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA and the Alpine Endurance Team enjoyed maiden wins, respectively, at the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo and 6 Hours of Fuji. Arriving in Bahrain this weekend, for the final race of the season, competition remained at an all-time high, with places on the podium decided by the closest of margins. Showcasing team spirit and relentless determination Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado driving the #51 Ferrari 499P, were crowned winners of the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Drivers Championship.
In recognition of their triumph and resilience behind the wheel, the championship’s winning drivers were awarded a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex Testimonee Mark Webber, who 10 years ago became an FIA World Endurance Champion, says: « For racing drivers, a Rolex watch is for life. Every driver in endurance racing has admiration for the Journey Rolex has been on. Achieving victory with your team and winning the watch at the end of the season is incredibly special. »
Reflecting on his own crowning moment, Webber continues: « The last race of the 2015 season was very challenging but rewarding, sports car racing is so special because you compete as part of a big team. It was incredible to win the championship with great people and play a small role in achieving our success. »
This weekend also marked a poignant moment in the career of fellow Testimonee Jenson Button as he competed in his final race as a full-time driver. Highlighting the growing significance of the sport, Button says: « We are in a very exciting time for endurance racing and there is no other motor sport discipline like it right now. Coming back to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship over the past two seasons has been a pleasure. There are so many manufacturers and talented drivers entering the sport, which makes reaching the podium even more rewarding. Top manufacturers in the automotive world are focusing their efforts on endurance racing and we will see even more joining the sport in the future, wanting to be part of the journey. »
The quest for excellence never stops in motor sport, and the clock is already counting down to the 2026 season, when Rolex will celebrate 10 years as the Official Timepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Next June, the Swiss watchmaker will also mark a quarter of a century as the Official Timepiece and Exclusive Major Partner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. These anniversaries highlight the brand’s almost century-long journey with motor sport, reflecting a shared commitment to continuous innovation and celebrating outstanding achievements on tracks around the world.
Delphine Clavel & Morgan Banks,