In the world of racing, there's a mark difference between the sprint racer and the endurance racer. While the former relies on speed and reflexes, it is the latter that tests the team on a broader set of skills beyond just raw speed. Consistency, mental resilience, teamwork... these play important roles in the world of endurance racing, but ultimately, patience determines who crosses the finish line.

Rolex recognises the human need for breaking past what was thought impossible. It acknowledges the achievement of taking the checkered flag. This association with motorsports, began in the 1930s, when Sir Malcolm Campbell set World Land Speed Records on Daytona Beach with a Rolex Oyster on his wrist. Since then, Rolex’s support has grown, extending to the sport’s most esteemed figures, revered endurance championships and leading events.

It's been a decade since Rolex became the Official Timepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Over the years, the Swiss watchmaker has accompanied the sport through a golden era, witnessing many of its greatest achievements and innovations: from the introduction of the Hypercar class in 2021, to the historic transatlantic alignment in 2023 and the championship’s 100th race last year.

This season, two personalities dominate the field: Rolex Testimonee Jamie Chadwick, who joins Genesis Magma Racing as a reserve driver—the first female to hold that role in the class, and Nyck de Vries, who enters his fifth WEC cycle. This year is also de Vries' induction into the Rolex family of Testimonees.

"It’s a huge honour to become part of the Rolex family of motorsport Testimonees," de Vries said. "Rolex has such a strong history in sport and especially in motor racing, so to be associated with that legacy means a lot."

This year's FIA WEC has eight rounds staged across four continents. Starting with the Qatar 1812 KM in March. The FIA WEC was headlined by the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in June (and marked 25 years of partnership with Rolex), and then it returns to Brazil for the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo.

Frédéric Lequien, FIA WEC Chief Executive Officer, frames the relationship with Rolex as one of "loyalty, precision, elegance and excellence". "These are values that Rolex and the FIA WEC wholeheartedly embrace and share," Lequien adds. "Rolex as a brand is synonymous with the pinnacle of international endurance racing, and we take great pride in having a partner that is so deeply engaged with everything we do."

From every split second and every decisive move made on track, the Rolex Pit Lane Clock will continue to keep time on more remarkable achievements. The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship will culminate at the 6 Hours of Monza in November, when Rolex will present a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona to the season champions of the Hypercar class. Recognised as the ultimate watch in motor sport, it is worn by those who have made history on circuits worldwide over the decades.