Championship Aspirations

TAG HEUER'S RETURN TO FORMULA 1 AS OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER SIGNALS A BEVY OF NEW RACING-INSPIRED COLLECTIONS. WE LOOK AT TWO.

- WORDS FARHAN SHAH PHOTOS TAG HEUER

THE MOST ICONIC TIMEPIECES always come with a story. It's never forced nor manufactured, but borne from luck, timing, and a personality who captures the world's imaginations. Ayrton Senna was that man for TAG Heuer. The Brazilian was a racing savant with a preternatural prowess behind the wheel. My favourite story of him happened during the 1991 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix. His car's gearbox malfunctioned in the final few laps, and he couldn't downshift. The vehicle was stuck in sixth gear permanently.

But Senna was determined to win his home race—he had never come in first before—and wrestled the car around the hairpin turns and sharp corners, his body straining with every effort. Imagine having to tackle a corner at over 200 kph without power steering. He finally crossed the finish line in first place. During the ceremony, his arms were so fatigued that he could barely lift the trophy above his chest, such was the sheer magnitude of his exhaustion.

TAG Heuer Carrera