Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decade

[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=” Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decade” cover_image=”https://thesun-develop.gtabloiddev.dowjones.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/start-of-f1-races-will-look-very-different-in-2025-with-major-change-for-first-time-in-over-a-decade.jpg” cover_image_id=”32637356″ embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366734377112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]

THE 2025 Formula 1 season will see a huge change in partnerships as TAG Heuer has stepped in as the official timekeeper, replacing Rolex.

TAG Heuer’s return comes as the first individual partner as part of F1’s 10-year deal with luxury goods company LVMH.

Three Formula 1 cars racing on a track. — TAG Heuer has stepped in as the official timekeeper, replacing Rolex this year

Formula 1 race cars approaching a Rolex-sponsored finish line. — The Rolex clock has been a feature of F1 race days for over a decade

The deal, which started on January 1 this year, ends Rolex’s decade-long partnership that began in 2013.

It means that the traditional view of a Rolex clock ticking onto the race start time – signalling the drivers to head on the formation lap – will be changed.

It’s not clear if this long-standing race feature will be ditched entirely, or simply changed from a Rolex to a Tag Heuer branded clock.

The partnership continues a long legacy for TAG Heuer in Formula 1, having first appeared as a sponsor in the sport 56 years ago.

The brand already partners with Red Bull Racing and the Monaco Grand Prix.

[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D101801%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]

F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali: “I am delighted to welcome TAG Heuer as the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1 as they start the next stage of their long history in our sport,

“With their focus on innovation, accuracy and excellence, they are a natural partner,

“And I am excited to see how our intertwining heritage can tell new stories for the future as we celebrate our 75th year.”

LVMH agreed to a whopping $1billion 10-year global partnership at the rate of more than $100m a season, which was announced in October.

As part of the deal champagne will return to Grand Prix podiums as part of the deal with LVMH, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

Moet & Chandon is a key brand in the company and is set to be sprayed as part of post-race celebrations, with champagne not featuring in the sport in three-years.

Family-owned Italian sparkling wine-makers Ferrari Trentino have been on Grands Prix podiums since 2021.

Then-Liberty president Greg Maffei said at the time of the deal being announced: “LVMH and Formula 1 are two global brands that consistently push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, values core to Liberty Media.”