The Return of Tudor to Motorsport

Formula 1 Welcomes Tudor to Motorsport

You read that right. Tudor will return to motorsport through the grand spectacle known as Formula One. While this is huge news in both the horological and motorsport world, this isn’t a surprise considering Tudor’s past and present experience with the addiction to speed.

Tudor Watch Racing Team

It all started in the 1960s when Tudor created the Tudor Watch Racing Team and brought Japanese driver Tomohiko Tsutsumi on board. Tsutsumi drove a Porsche 906 branded with the Tudor logo, and photos taken from the cockpit of Tsutsumi with a Tudor on his wrist, specifically the Tudor Submariner ref. 7928, were used on multiple print ads in Japan. You might think the same thing: a Tudor Submariner in a race car? That’s strange. Remember that the first Tudor chronographs weren’t released until 1970, and a Submariner in the cockpit of a Porsche 906 looks fantastic.

Fast forward to the release of the Tudor chronograph in the 1970s. The creation of racing chronographs made complete sense as Tudor was at the deep end of motorsports and even ran a series of print ads with former rally driver Tim Wheatley promoting the Tudor Chronograph Oysterdate ref. 7032 that read, “Tim Wheatley, rally driver, chose his watch as carefully as he chose his lights”–a clever way of saying the Tudor is a vital piece of driving equipment.

Tudor Formula 1 Visa Cash App RB — Source

Tudor and the IMSA

In more modern motorsports, we see Tudor enter a partnership with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), which included the Tudor United SportsCar Championship and was the official timing partner of Porsche Motorsport Worldwide, also sponsoring the Dutch Porsche driver, Patrick Huisman. Tudor would also hold their racing series, the Tudor Historic Grand Prix.

Now that there’s some context regarding Tudor’s motorsport history, it will come as no surprise that Tudor has entered the world of motorsport once again by sponsoring Visa Cash App RB.

Tudor and Visa Cash App RB

While not technically a new team (formerly AlphaTauri, Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Minardi), Visa Cash App RB is another evolution of the Red Bull junior team and a perfect way for Tudor to get themselves back on the grid.

TUDOR has always been fueled by a daring spirit, a consistent will to do things differently, and this spirit—we call it Born to Dare—is exactly what Visa Cash App RB is demonstrating heading into the 2024 F1 season. We’re beyond thrilled to return to motorsport with a partner that’s ready to take on the challenge.”
-TUDOR CEO Eric Pirson

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We are delighted to welcome TUDOR to our team. They have a long history in motorsport, dating back to the 60s when they first got involved in sports car racing, as well as historic racing and rallying. “Now, the Swiss watch company has seized the opportunity to move up to the very pinnacle of motorsport, joining us, as we tackle the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship with our new Visa Cash App RB identity. Our team will be challenging the status quo in Formula 1 with a strong identity, unique style and uncompromising quality – just like Tudor watches. “
-Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team

With the inclusion of Tudor on the grid with Visa Cash App RB, I have speculations we’ll see some beautiful Tudor Black Bay Chronographs on the wrist of drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, or maybe a call back to the 1960s with some Tudor Black Bay 54s. I’m delighted to see Tudor back at the pinnacle motorsport and even more excited to see where their partnership alongside a Formula One team takes them—maybe a rebirth of the Tudor Watch Racing Team–a far stretch, but a nice thought.

About the Author

Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.

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