Method 1 is again for 2023, and with solely two rounds down and one other 21 to go there’s nonetheless a great distance for each drivers and groups to struggle it out for the championship.
As a part of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, we determined to check out the watch manufacturers related to every F1 workforce.
Watches have at all times been linked to motorsport. Earlier than digital stopwatches and automatic timing, races have been timed on chronographs. And a few of the most well-known chronographs we’ve immediately, just like the Rolex Daytona, the TAG Heuer Carrera, or the TAG Heuer Monaco have their roots in motorsports.
It’s no shock loads of main watch manufacturers kind main sponsors with a sport like Method One.
Purple Bull Racing and TAG Heuer
Purple Bull is the present king of the paddock, led by Christian Horner as Workforce Principal.
Max Verstappen is in search of his third consecutive Driver’s Championship, and the Purple Bull workforce is eyeing off back-to-back Constructors’ Championships after pipping Ferrari in 2022, and being edged out by Mercedes in 2021.
Sergio Perez is at present in second place and appears to be on kind this yr as properly, so there may be hope of some inter-team rivalry right here for the motive force’s championship as properly.
TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer has had a long-standing relationship with Purple Bull Racing, and even has a collaboration with the workforce on the TAG Heuer Method 1 X Purple Bull Racing Chronograph.
Today, you’ll see Christian Horner generally sporting both an Autavia Flyback Chronograph, or extra not too long ago, what seems to be to be the sixtieth Anniversary Carrera Chronograph.
Ferrari and Richard Mille
Ferrari has lengthy been the favorite workforce in F1 and it has a devoted fan base within the Tifosi.
Nevertheless, it’s been some time because it was on the high, after a tumultuous 2022 season consisting of too many errors on and off the observe.
Hopefully, with new workforce principal Frederic Vasseur along with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s driving capability, we might even see it return to its former glory.
Richard Mille
Richard Mille is on the chopping fringe of horological know-how, with sports activities usually on the centre of its timepieces, so it’s not stunning it has teamed up with Ferrari.
A Richard Mille might be seen on the wrists of each Charles Leclerc (usually seen sporting a model of this RM 67-02) and Carlos Sainz, to not point out half the crew!
Mercedes AMG Petronas and IWC
Mercedes was a contemporary power in F1 up till the up to date laws final yr that noticed the workforce plagued with efficiency points. Plainly this yr, it has nonetheless not ironed out their kinks – at the least for now.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
IWC might not appear the pure decide to companion up with an F1 workforce, given it’s a model identified for pilot watches, nevertheless, the partnerships prolong from F1 and into Mercedes-Benz highway autos as properly.
IWC has carried out rather a lot with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas workforce over the previous few years, like a collaboration on the watch featured right here.
Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux
Aston Martin is without doubt one of the longest-lasting tremendous sports activities automobile producers on the earth, and whereas its kind in Method 1 has come and gone, its present standing is displaying it may need a wonderful 2023.
Girard-Perregaux
Like IWC, Girard-Perregaux has taken its F1 affiliation even additional, with collaborations with the Aston Martin F1 workforce on the Laureato Absolute Chronograph F1 Version, in addition to the mother or father Aston Martin model, like the brand new 42mm Laureato Inexperienced Ceramic Aston Martin Version.
The inexperienced is placing, and completely stunning in ceramic. When watching the F1, you may’t assist however discover these items on the wrists of the drivers and wider workforce, particularly the Laureato Chronograph F1 Version!
McLaren and Richard Mille
McLaren’s historical past in Method 1 wants no introduction. As probably the most profitable and iconic manufacturers in racing, the present state of McLaren’s Method 1 workforce is a poor reflection of the years passed by.
Nonetheless, it hopefully has a brilliant future with loads of adjustments happening on the workforce.
Richard Mille
It’s uncommon for a model to sponsor two groups and for the groups to simply accept sponsorship from the identical model, however Richard Mille has carried out simply this. Having offers with each McLaren and Ferrari makes it considerably distinctive on this area.
With a purpose to not play favourites, they’ve geared up the McLaren workforce with its well-known RM67-02 watches as properly. And sure, that’s the identical watch that Lando obtained mugged for final yr!
Williams and Bremont
The Williams F1 workforce seems to be shedding its ‘back-marker’ standing for 2023 and approaching sturdy with an honest chassis and engine mixture, and Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant on the wheel.
Bremont
Bremont Chronometres is a British model began by brothers Giles and Nick English, identified for its reliability.
It provides the British army, so the watches have to work. Its affiliation with Williams is sensible because it’s one high-precision British model aligned to a different. The pair not too long ago launched their first watch as a part of their partnership, the Bremont RW-22 .
You’ll see this mannequin strapped to the wrists of Albon and Sargeant rather a lot this yr because the workforce fights to maneuver up the constructor’s ladder.
Alfa Romeo and Rise up
Initially the Sauber F1 Workforce, Alfa Romeo is 5 years into its present incarnation as Alfa Romeo, and has had some blended outcomes over the previous few years. It’s house to rookie Zhou Guanyu, and veteran Valtteri Bottas.
Rise up Timepieces
Rise up Timepieces is a small unbiased model based mostly in Switzerland that builds timepieces with an automotive and machine inspiration. They’re half Richard Mille, half MB&F and half Hublot.
The partnership with Alfa Romeo F1 is an efficient match given its roots (albeit solely 14 years in the past), and it has two items designed particularly for Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – the Re-Volt C43 (pictured). They even have small components from the Alfa Romeo F1 automobile on every items facet!
Alpine and Bell & Ross
Alpine, previously Renault, are contenders this yr after ending fourth final yr.
Having misplaced Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin, however picked up Pierre Gasly to hitch Esteban Ocon and workforce principal in Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine has an honest probability of difficult for a number of podiums this yr.
Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross is understood for the instrument watches, initially designed based mostly on the cockpit devices of planes and for particular functions. These days, they’re completely suited to F1 drivers, piloting their machines across the observe at 320km/h.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-94 A521 was designed particularly for the Alpine F1 workforce, and with timing in thoughts. The Alpine blue is mirrored within the dial and supplies have been used that have been examined on the F1 vehicles themselves.
Due to our mates at WatchAdvice for assist with this text.