Daytona International Speedway, 28 January 2024 – This weekend, the motoring world witnessed another thrilling Rolex 24 At DAYTONA with fortunes decided in the closing moments. Ultimately, the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche 963 secured victory over a highly competitive field at the 62nd iteration of this prestigious event. Rolex’s support of the contest traces back to the 1960s and, since 1992, the Swiss watchmaker has been Title Sponsor of the twice-around-the-clock race, a testament to the precision, perseverance and durability of both drivers and machines.

Throughout the 24-hour marathon, the field faced a myriad of conditions from intense heat to a cool dawn, forcing ever-changing strategies. Competition was intense across the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) category and it was only in the final riveting moments that the #7 comfortably took the lead and the #31 Whelen Cadillac Racing, Cadillac V-Series.R had to settle for second. It was the #7’s tactical driver changes, pit stops and pinpoint racing that ultimately clenched victory. Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr, Josef Newgarden and Matt Campbell made headlines as first-time overall winners of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. In recognition of their unwavering commitment to excellence, the winning drivers were presented with a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona – revered for its legendary status and performance, it is the ultimate accolade for drivers.

Emotions were high in Victory Lane as Rolex Testimonee and 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion Jenson Button and his #40 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport teammates placed third overall. Having made his race debut behind the wheel of the Acura ARX-06, Button reflects on the spectacle:

The iconic Daytona International Speedway®, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, saw its largest spectator turnout for the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA over the weekend. Wheel-to-wheel action was tense across all four categories, with the #18 Era Motorsport ORECA securing the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class victory after a dramatic 24 hours. In the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) categories, the Ferrari and Mercedes entries were relentless competitors, with the #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 conquering in the GTD PRO and the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 taking the GTD class win.

In the years since Rolex first partnered with the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the Swiss watchmaker’s presence in motor sport has grown steadily and extends to some of the world’s most revered endurance events, including the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and its cornerstone event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Button, who in 2024 has committed to a full season of endurance racing in the WEC, continues:

ROLEX AND MOTOR SPORT

Rolex’s close ties with motor sport 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 motor sport, having supported Rolex Testimonee Sir Jackie Stewart since 1968. The three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion has been joined by fellow high achievers from the world of motor sport: Tom Kristensen, the record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Mark Webber, the multiple Formula 1® race winner and 2015 FIA World Endurance Champion, and Jenson Button, the 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion. Most recently, Jamie Chadwick, Indy NXT driver, three-time W Series champion and the sport's most exciting young female talent became part of the Rolex family. The brand also has a global appreciation for classic automotive 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.