FORMULA 1 CHINESE GRAND PRIX

Rolex's alliance with and great appreciation for motor sport dates back to the 1930s when Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the 300 mile per hour barrier at the wheel of his World Land Speed Record car, Bluebird, with a Rolex on his wrist. Since then, Rolex's presence in motor sport has grown steadily, thanks to a shared passion for performance and innovation. In 1959, Rolex partnered the Daytona International Speedway in the United States and in 1963, launched the iconic Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph. A few years later, Rolex added the name 'Daytona' to the dial of the iconic chronograph created for racing drivers to mark its connection with the Daytona International Speedway. In 1992, Rolex announced its Title Sponsorship of the Rolex 24 At Daytona® and in 2001 became the Official Timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's oldest endurance sports car race. More recently, the brand partnered with the FIA World Endurance Championship further strengthening its relationship with endurance racing.

Rolex is proud to be celebrating its fourth season as a long-term Global Partner and the Official Timepiece of Formula 1. Furthermore, Rolex has forged an esteemed relationship with two of the most celebrated racing drivers of the last 50 years, three-time FIA Formula One Drivers' World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart and record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen.

2015 FORMULA 1 GRAN PRÉMIO DE MEXICO

The Formula 1 brand is a powerful symbol and has long signified a fine and distinctive partnership between sporting and technological excellence, embracing its historical roots while looking forward to the challenges of the future to maintain its position at the very pinnacle of motor racing. 2016 marks Rolex's fourth year as a Global Partner and the Official Timepiece of Formula 1. Rolex is without question the perfect partner for this world class sporting series. Rolex's prestige, the excellence of its watches, as well as the brand's passionate and long-standing commitment to motor sport gives the partnership true credibility.

Both Rolex and Formula 1 have a strong desire to push the boundaries of technology. Since Rolex partnered with Formula 1 in 2013, there has been a very important era of technical change. The pinnacle of motor sport, Formula 1, continually challenges teams and drivers to integrate innovative technology whilst providing motor sport fans with the action-packed racing they love.

THE BLOODHOUND PROJECT

The Bloodhound Project is preparing to break the World Land Speed Record with a cutting-edge, jet- and rocket-powered supersonic car capable of achieving the speed of 1,000 mph. Driven by a record-breaking heritage and an adventurer's determination to "confront and overcome the impossible", the British team behind the Project is aiming to encourage future generations of scientists and engineers. Rolex joined the Bloodhound Project in 2011 as the Official Timing Partner, continuing the brand's long-standing presence at the frontiers of speed.

The Bloodhound Project is one of the most highly technological global initiatives, driven by a spirit of extraordinary human endeavour. The association marks Rolex's support for projects that share a passion for performance and precision, as well as the commitment to pursue new technology and innovative engineering.

Andy Green, BLOODHOUND SSC Driver (UK)

In April 2014, Rolex revealed two bespoke instruments, an analogue speedometer and chronograph, exclusively developed and manufactured for BLOODHOUND SSC. True to its philosophy, Rolex combined world-class technology with exacting standards of precision and reliability to create these highly accurate instruments that will be installed in the cockpit of BLOODHOUND SSC. The instruments will provide a necessary visual reference and fail-safe back-up for some of the on-screen readouts during critical phases in the record bid: assisting precision braking from 1,000 mph on the 20-kilometre track and for timekeeping operations to monitor various systems such as the jet engine and hybrid rocket. The World Land Speed Record is validated and regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l‘Automobile (FIA), the world governing body of motor sport.