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 motorsport—the unofficial description by fans for the three most important races on the calendar—together with the 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.
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