Our “road to Le Mans” begins on board a Mercedes GLE 63S AMG engine V8 Biturbo 612 HP and 850NM: 1,000 km of comfort, performance and the best Mercedes driving technology. Waiting for us, a Circuit de la Sarthe packed with people and charged with automotive passion to celebrate in 24h and over 300 laps the first century of the race of all races.
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The 24 Hours of Le Mans is about to start with its different categories and formidable drivers, facing the warm-up lap through the Dunlop chicane, the Tertre Rouge arch, the Mulsanne straight, the Indianapolis, Arnage, Porsche and Ford turns. And we, among 300,000 fans, are ready to feel all the on-track power of a 100-year-old myth, experiencing the climax of emotions that only this race can give. We've imprinted them in the new limited-edition capsule collection dedicated to this century of glory-which chronicles the places, moments, protagonists and iconic colors of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and now we're here to experience an iconic piece of it that almost doesn't seem real to us.
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Around the most important competition of the World Endurance Championship there is a universe: we discover it step by step, among details of vintage cars and atmospheres that evoke the times when Le Mans conquered the big screen and the hearts of the most iconic Gentlemen Drivers. The museum, the stands and the paddocks are "sacred" places for automotive enthusiasts and for our inspiration, thanks to which we translate the greatness of the race into collectible accessories.
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In the midst of all this atmosphere steeped in motorsport glamour and great stories, unfailing is the presence of Rolex – which has always been inextricably linked with the essence of Le Mans – which wins us over with its exhibition space and a gem in 18-karat white gold: a never-before-seen Daytona in white gold created and engraved with the number “100” on the tachymeter scale specifically for the winners of the race. A modern Paul Newman.
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Then, the big thrill of the Le Mans start in front of the grid: under the notes of Strauss's “Also sprach Zarathustra” that distinguishes every historic start, history is already being written, between the unpredictability and tension of the first few hours – aided by the rain beating down on the running cars – and the many cars out of contention already in the first half of the race.
But it was in the night, under the neon lights descending on the Circuit de la Sarthe, that the epic duel between the Toyota and Ferrari cars in the race came to life, with their silhouettes hurtling through the darkness in an up and down of twists and turns. After Pier Guidi's epic overtaking move on Hirakawa and a pit stop in which the #51 499P seemed to surrender, the twist: Le Mans is dyed Ferrari red, proving to the world that the indomitable spirit of the “prancing horse” and its mechanical mastery are still unmatched.
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The house of Maranello returns to the premier class at Le Mans for the tenth time, after a 50-year absence from the Circuit and 58 years since triumphs at Le Mans: the last, in 1965, with Joche Rindt, Masten Gregory and Ed Hugus. Today, the architects of this triumph are Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado, who not only overcame the favored #8 Toyota and the #3 Cadillac-Dallara, but also themselves, showing extraordinary determination.
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With one last look at the track that has always challenged and conquered time, we return home reaffirming what fuels our partnership: capturing the eternal essence of Le Mans and celebrating it in style.
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